Shloka 10
विराटसभायां पाण्डवानां प्रवेशः — Arjuna’s Encomium of Yudhiṣṭhira in Virāṭa’s Court
निपातिते दन्तिवरे पृथिव्यां त्रासाद् विकर्ण: सहसावतीर्य । तूर्ण पदान्यष्टशतानि गत्वा विविंशते: स्यन्दनममारुरोह
nipātite dantivare pṛthivyāṃ trāsād vikarṇaḥ sahasāvatīrya | tūrṇaṃ padāny aṣṭaśatāni gatvā viviṃśateḥ syandanam amāruroha ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。大象が地に倒されるや、ヴィカルナは恐怖にとらわれ、たちまち飛び降りた。急ぎ逃れて八百歩を走り、ついにヴィヴィṃシャティの戦車へ乗り移った。この一件は、戦場の急転が心の定まりを試すことを示す。恐れは武人をして即座の庇護を求めさせ、孤軍の働きから盟友の守りへと身を寄せさせるのである。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the psychological reality of battle: when circumstances abruptly turn—here, the fall of a powerful elephant—fear can overwhelm composure, prompting retreat and dependence on comrades. It invites reflection on steadiness (dhairya) and the ethical ideal of self-control under pressure.
After a great elephant is knocked down, Vikarṇa becomes frightened, jumps down, runs about eight hundred paces, and then climbs onto Viviṃśati’s chariot, seeking safety and support amid the ongoing combat.