Shloka 3
Adhyāya 17 — गजयुद्ध-वृत्तान्तः, सहदेव-दुःशासन-संघर्षः, नकुल-कर्ण-समागमः
Elephant-battle account; Sahadeva–Duhshasana clash; Nakula–Karna encounter
मागधो>प्यतिविक्रान्तो द्विरदेन प्रमाथिना । भगदत्तादनवर: शिक्षया च बलेन च
māgadho 'py ativikrānto dviradena pramāthinā | bhagadattād anavaraḥ śikṣayā ca balena ca ||
Sanjaya berkata: “Wahai Pārtha, pahlawan Magadha ini juga amat gagah. Dia memiliki gajah perang yang mampu menghancurkan barisan musuh. Terlatih dalam seni perang yang terbaik dan dikurniai kekuatan besar, maka dengan segala sifat itu, dari segi keperwiraan dia sama sekali tidak lebih rendah daripada Bhagadatta.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Prowess in war is portrayed as arising from a combination of disciplined training (śikṣā), innate or cultivated strength (bala), and effective resources (such as a powerful war-elephant). The verse highlights merit-based evaluation—judging a warrior by capability rather than reputation alone.
Sanjaya is reporting to Dhritarashtra, identifying and assessing a formidable Magadhan fighter on the battlefield. He emphasizes the warrior’s elephant and martial preparation, concluding that this combatant is not inferior in valor to the renowned Bhagadatta.