Shloka 776
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ५९
Arjuna Breaks the Encirclement; Bhīma Reinforces
वज़िवजहतानीव शिखराणि धराभूताम् | “देखो, इन्द्रके वज़्से आहत होकर गिरनेवाले पर्वतशिखरोंके समान ये बड़े-बड़े हाथी भीमसेनके चलाये हुए नाराचोंसे विदीर्ण होकर पृथ्वीपर गिर रहे हैं
vajravajrahatānīva śikharāṇi dharābhūtām |
サンジャヤは言った。「見よ——インドラのヴァジュラに打たれて砕け、地へ投げ落とされる山の峰のように、これらの大象もまた、ビーマセーナの放ったナーラーチャの矢に裂かれ、地に崩れ落ちてゆく。」この比喩は、戦場に解き放たれた圧倒的な力と、情け容赦なく進む戦の冷たい奔流を示す。最も巨きな肉体でさえ、折れた断崖のごとく倒れるのだ。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the stark impermanence of physical might: even the largest war-elephants fall when struck by superior force. Ethically, it reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring reminder that power and pride are fragile in the face of time, fate, and the brutal logic of battle.
Sañjaya describes Bhīmasena’s devastating assault: Bhīma shoots nārāca arrows that split great elephants, which then crash to the ground. The fall is compared to mountain peaks knocked down by Indra’s thunderbolt.