Shloka 9
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 29 — Arjuna’s defeat of Vṛṣaka–Acalā and the neutralization of Śakuni’s māyā
शीर्णवर्मा स तु गज: शरै: सुभृशमर्दित: । बभौ धारानिपाताक्तो व्यभ्र: पर्वतराडिव,कवच कट जानेपर हाथीको बाणोंके आघातसे बड़ी पीड़ा होने लगी। वह खूनकी धारासे नहा उठा और बादलोंसे रहित एवं (गैरिकमिश्रित) जलधारासे भीगे हुए गिरिराजके समान शोभा पाने लगा
śīrṇavarmā sa tu gajaḥ śaraiḥ subhṛśamarditaḥ | babhau dhārānipātākto vyabhraḥ parvatarāḍ iva ||
Sañjaya said: That elephant, its armour shattered and itself grievously tormented by arrows, appeared resplendent—bathed in streaming blood, like a great mountain washed by falling torrents, standing cloudless. The image underscores the brutal grandeur of war: even a noble war-beast, meant for strength and protection, is reduced to suffering, yet is described with awe, reminding the listener of the heavy moral cost borne by all beings on the battlefield.
संजय उवाच