Shloka 423
Bhagadatta’s Advance, the Saṃśaptaka Challenge, and Arjuna’s Counterstrike (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय २६)
प्रेषयामास सहसा युयुधानरथं प्रति । उस समय प्राग्ज्योतिषपुरके राजाने उस महान् गजराजको सब ओरसे काबूमें करके सहसा सात्यकिके रथकी ओर बढ़ाया
preṣayāmāsa sahasā yuyudhānarathaṃ prati |
サञ्जयは言った――プラーグジョーティシャプラの王は、偉大なる象王を四方より完全に御し、忽ちこれをサーティヤキの戦車へ向けて突進させた。戦のただ中における迅速にして剛猛な攻勢であり、乗騎を制する技がそのまま武器となり、意志は断乎たる前進によって量られるのである。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the battlefield ethic of the Mahābhārata, power is inseparable from discipline: the king’s ability to control a massive elephant symbolizes mastery over instruments of violence. The verse highlights how decisive intent and controlled force shape outcomes, while also implying the moral weight of directing such force against a worthy opponent.
Sañjaya narrates that the king of Prāgjyotiṣapura, after steadying and controlling his great war-elephant, suddenly charges it toward Sātyaki (Yuyudhāna) and his chariot, initiating a direct and dangerous assault.