Shloka 10
Bhīmasena’s Kalinga Engagement and the Approach of Bhīṣma (भीमसेन-कालिङ्ग-संग्रामः)
प्रभिन्नैरपि संसक्ता: केचित् तत्र महागजा: । क्रौज्चवन्निनदं कृत्वा दुद्रुवु: सर्वतो दिशम्,कुछ महान् गजराज मदस्रावी हाथियोंसे टक्कर लेकर क्रौंच पक्षीकी भाँति चीत्कार करते हुए सब दिशाओंमें भाग गये
prabhinnair api saṁsaktāḥ kecit tatra mahāgajāḥ | krauñcavan ninadaṁ kṛtvā dudruvuḥ sarvato diśam ||
Sañjaya berkata: Sebahagian gajah besar di sana, walaupun sedang dalam musth dan terjerat dalam pertembungan ganas, mengeluarkan jeritan seperti burung krauñca lalu lari bertempiaran ke segala arah. Adegan itu menegaskan bahawa dalam himpitan perang, yang terkuat pun boleh terhumban daripada keteguhan kepada panik apabila kekuatan bertemu kekuatan dan takut menenggelamkan tekad.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the instability of worldly strength: even ‘great’ forces can collapse under pressure. In ethical terms, it cautions against pride in power and shows how fear can disrupt discipline and duty amid conflict.
Sañjaya describes battlefield chaos: some massive elephants, despite being in musth and engaged in clashes, cry out loudly (likened to the krauñca bird) and then scatter, fleeing in all directions.