Shloka 36
तौ परस्परमासाद्य दंष्टाभ्यां द्विरदौ यथा
tau parasparam āsādya daṁṣṭābhyāṁ dviradau yathā
Sañjaya said: The two closed in upon each other, meeting head-on like a pair of mighty elephants locking tusks—an image of relentless combat where neither yields and the clash itself becomes the measure of their resolve.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness in battle: when duty and rivalry converge, true resolve is shown by meeting the opponent directly, without retreat—symbolized by elephants that lock tusks and endure the strain.
Sañjaya describes two warriors engaging at close quarters. Their encounter is compared to two elephants colliding and locking tusks, conveying the intensity, equality, and stubborn persistence of the fight.