Shloka 10
Bhīmasena’s Kalinga Engagement and the Approach of Bhīṣma (भीमसेन-कालिङ्ग-संग्रामः)
प्रभिन्नैरपि संसक्ता: केचित् तत्र महागजा: । क्रौज्चवन्निनदं कृत्वा दुद्रुवु: सर्वतो दिशम्,कुछ महान् गजराज मदस्रावी हाथियोंसे टक्कर लेकर क्रौंच पक्षीकी भाँति चीत्कार करते हुए सब दिशाओंमें भाग गये
prabhinnair api saṁsaktāḥ kecit tatra mahāgajāḥ | krauñcavan ninadaṁ kṛtvā dudruvuḥ sarvato diśam ||
サンジャヤは言った。「そこでは、マストにあり激しい衝突に絡み合っていたにもかかわらず、ある大象たちはクラウンチャ鳥のような叫び声を上げ、四方へ逃げ散った。この光景は、戦の圧迫の中では、力と力がぶつかり恐れが決意を呑み込むとき、最強の者でさえ平静を失い恐慌へと追い立てられることを示している。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the instability of worldly strength: even ‘great’ forces can collapse under pressure. In ethical terms, it cautions against pride in power and shows how fear can disrupt discipline and duty amid conflict.
Sañjaya describes battlefield chaos: some massive elephants, despite being in musth and engaged in clashes, cry out loudly (likened to the krauñca bird) and then scatter, fleeing in all directions.