Shloka 27
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
प्रभिन्नाश्न महानागा विनीता हस्तिसादिभि: । परस्परं समासाद्य संनिपेतुरभीतवत्
prabhinnāśnān mahānāgā vinītā hastisādibhiḥ | parasparaṃ samāsādya saṃnipetur abhītavat ||
Sañjaya berkata: Gajah-gajah besar bak raja gajah, dengan pelipis mengalirkan cecair musth, didesak oleh penunggang dan pawangnya, mendekati satu sama lain lalu, tanpa gentar, bertembung dalam pertempuran sesama mereka. Pemandangan itu menegaskan bahawa dalam amukan perang, makhluk yang gagah pun dipaksa oleh perintah manusia ke dalam pelanggaran ganas, menambah derasnya gerak medan laga yang tiada henti.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the intensification of war: immense power (the elephants) becomes an instrument of destruction when directed by human will. Ethically, it points to how conflict mobilizes and compels even non-human strength into violence, magnifying the consequences of martial ambition.
Sanjaya describes war-elephants in musth being urged on by their riders and handlers; they advance toward opposing elephants and collide fearlessly, engaging in close combat amid the larger battle.