Shloka 40
चुक्रुशुश्व निपेतुश्च बश्रमुश्चापरे दिश: । भशं त्रस्ताश्न बहव: स्वानेव ममृदुर्गजा:
cukruśuś ca nipetuś ca bhīṣmam uś cāpare diśaḥ | bhayaṁ trastāś ca bahavaḥ svān eva mamṛdur gajāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Many cried out and fell down; in other directions too there was a great alarm. Terrified by fear, numerous elephants trampled even their own side—showing how, in the chaos of battle, panic can overturn discipline and turn strength into self-destruction.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear in war destroys order: even powerful assets like war-elephants become dangerous when panic overrides control, leading to harm of one’s own side. It implies the ethical need for steadiness, discipline, and responsible command amid violence.
Sañjaya describes a moment of battlefield turmoil: cries arise, some fall, alarm spreads across the field, and frightened elephants run amok, trampling their own troops in the confusion.