Shloka 5
देवसत्रे मृत्युनिरोधः, पूर्वेन्द्राणां मानुषावतरणम्, द्रौपदी-वरकथनम्
Suspension of Death at the Devasatra; Former Indras’ Human Descent; Draupadī’s Boon Etiology
ततः कर्णमुखानू् दृष्ट्वा क्षत्रियान् युद्धदुर्मदान् । सम्पेततुरभीतौ तौ गजौ प्रतिगजानिव
tataḥ karṇamukhān dṛṣṭvā kṣatriyān yuddha-durmadān | sampetatū rabhītau tau gajau pratigajān iva ||
त्यानंतर कर्णाच्या पुढाकाराने युद्धमदाने उन्मत्त क्षत्रियांना येताना पाहून ते दोघे भाऊ निर्भय होऊन त्यांच्यावर तुटून पडले—जसे मदोन्मत्त दोन हत्ती प्रतिस्पर्धी हत्तींवर धावून जातात।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights Kṣatriya-dharma as fearless confrontation in battle, while also warning that war can breed durmada—reckless pride or intoxication—which ethically clouds judgment and hastens destruction.
Karṇa and other battle-frenzied Kṣatriyas advance; in response, two brothers charge at them without fear, compared to two powerful elephants rushing against rival elephants.