Shloka 23
गाहमानमनीकानि महेन्द्रसदृशप्रभम् | धनंजयमपश्याम चतुर्दष्टमिव द्विपम्,“देवराज इन्द्रके समान तेजस्वी अर्जुनको हम चार दाँतवाले गजराजके समान अपनी सेनामें प्रवेश करते देखते हैं
gāhamānam anīkāni mahendra-sadṛśa-prabham | dhanañjayam apaśyāma caturdaṣṭam iva dvipam ||
Sañjaya said: “We saw Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), radiant like Mahendra (Indra), plunging into the battle-formations—like a mighty elephant with four tusks entering the midst of an army.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ideal of kṣatriya-dharma in war: fearless advance against overwhelming odds, guided by disciplined courage. By likening Arjuna to Indra and a powerful elephant, it frames righteous valor as a force that protects one’s side and upholds duty amid chaos.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna is visibly charging into the opposing battle-formations. The imagery emphasizes Arjuna’s overwhelming presence and momentum, suggesting that his entry disrupts enemy ranks like a massive elephant pushing into a crowd.