Shloka 47
Bhagadatta’s Advance, the Saṃśaptaka Challenge, and Arjuna’s Counterstrike (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय २६)
ते गजस्थेन काल्यन्ते भगदत्तेन पाण्डवा:
te gajasthena kālyante bhagadattena pāṇḍavāḥ
サञ्जयは語った。「パाण्डヴァたちは、象上より戦うバガダッタに激しく圧され、執拗に追い立てられていた。そびえ立つその戦象は戦場を恐怖の地と化し、圧倒的な力の前で彼らの胆力を試したのである。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how power and position (an elephant mount and a formidable warrior) can overwhelm even great heroes, underscoring the kṣatriya duty to remain steadfast and disciplined under pressure rather than yielding to fear or disorder.
Sañjaya reports that Bhagadatta, fighting from an elephant, is aggressively attacking and distressing the Pāṇḍava forces, indicating a moment where the battle’s momentum threatens them through Bhagadatta’s imposing presence and assault.