Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens
वारणा दशसाहस्रा: प्रभिन्नकरटामुखा: । शूरा हेममयैर्जललैर्दीप्पमाना इवाचला:
vāraṇā daśasāhasrāḥ prabhinnakaraṭāmukhāḥ | śūrā hemamayair jālaiḥ dīpyamānā ivācalāḥ ||
サンジャヤは言った。山のごとく高く、猛々しい象王が一万、進み来た。こめかみからはムスト(発情の液)がほとばしり、勇に満ちて戦支度も整い、金の網飾りの鞍具に照らされるかのように輝いて、王ユディシュティラの後ろを、雨季の雨雲のように従って進んだ。
संजय उवाच
The verse is primarily descriptive rather than doctrinal: it highlights how immense military resources and outward splendor (golden trappings, mighty elephants) can project power and confidence in war, while also reminding the listener that such grandeur is part of a larger, morally fraught conflict where true dharma is tested beyond mere display.
Sañjaya reports the movement of Yudhiṣṭhira’s forces: a massive contingent of ten thousand war-elephants follows behind the king, exuding rut-fluid and shining with golden netted ornaments, compared to monsoon clouds and mountains to convey their overwhelming presence.