Shloka 483
मैत्रेयागमनम् — The Arrival of Maitreya and the Admonition to Duryodhana
यथैवौत्पलपत्राणि मत्तयोर्द्धिपयोस्तथा । जैसे दो मतवाले गजराजोंके मस्तकपर पड़े हुए कमलपत्र क्षणभरमें छिन्न-भिन्न होकर बिखर जाते हैं, वैसे ही उन दोनोंके मस्तकपर पड़े हुए वृक्षोंके अनेक टुकड़े हो जाते थे
yathaivautpalapatrāṇi mattayor dṛḍhipayostathā |
Vidura says: Just as lotus leaves, when they fall upon the heads of two intoxicated, powerful elephants, are instantly torn to shreds and scattered, so too the trees that struck their heads were broken into many pieces.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a vivid simile to convey overwhelming force: when immense power is in motion, fragile things cannot withstand it and are instantly destroyed. Ethically, it cautions that unchecked might (like intoxicated elephants) can cause indiscriminate damage.
Vidura describes a scene involving two powerful, maddened elephants. Whatever falls or is brought onto their heads—likened to lotus leaves—gets torn apart immediately; similarly, trees striking them are shattered into pieces.