Shloka 31
Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens
वारणा दशसाहस्रा: प्रभिन्नकरटामुखा: । शूरा हेममयैर्जललैर्दीप्पमाना इवाचला:
vāraṇā daśasāhasrāḥ prabhinnakaraṭāmukhāḥ | śūrā hemamayair jālaiḥ dīpyamānā ivācalāḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Sepuluh ribu gajah raja mara ke hadapan—tinggi laksana gunung dan menggerunkan—cecair musth memancut dari pelipisnya. Gagah dan sedia bertempur, mereka berkilau seolah-olah menyala oleh kelengkapan berjaring emas, bergerak seperti awan hujan musim tengkujuh ketika mengikuti Raja Yudhiṣṭhira dari belakang.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse is primarily descriptive rather than doctrinal: it highlights how immense military resources and outward splendor (golden trappings, mighty elephants) can project power and confidence in war, while also reminding the listener that such grandeur is part of a larger, morally fraught conflict where true dharma is tested beyond mere display.
Sañjaya reports the movement of Yudhiṣṭhira’s forces: a massive contingent of ten thousand war-elephants follows behind the king, exuding rut-fluid and shining with golden netted ornaments, compared to monsoon clouds and mountains to convey their overwhelming presence.