Shloka 48
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
स गाढविद्धो व्यथितो नागो भरतसत्तम
sa gāḍhavid'dho vyathito nāgo bharatasattama
Sañjaya berkata: Ditembusi dengan dalam dan menggeliat kesakitan, gajah perkasa itu—wahai yang terbaik dalam kalangan Bharata—jatuh dalam derita, suatu gambaran jelas betapa keganasan peperangan telah menjadi tanpa belas dan sarat dengan beban dharma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the stark reality of war: even powerful beings like war-elephants suffer intensely. It implicitly highlights the ethical gravity of violence and the heavy cost borne by living creatures in the pursuit of victory and duty.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that an elephant on the battlefield has been struck deeply by a weapon and is now in visible agony, emphasizing the ferocity of the ongoing combat.