Shloka 57
Adhyāya 33: Rauhiṇeya (Balarāma) is welcomed and takes his seat to witness the gadā-engagement
उन्मत्तमिव मातज्ुं तलशब्देन मानवा: । भूय: संहर्षयामासू राजन् दुर्योधनं नृपम्
unmattam iva mātaṅgaṃ talaśabdena mānavāḥ | bhūyaḥ saṃharṣayāmāsu rājann duryodhanaṃ nṛpam ||
Wahai Raja, sebagaimana manusia membangkitkan amarah gajah yang sedang musth dengan tepukan yang kuat, demikianlah mereka berulang kali menepuk tangan; dengan hiruk-pikuk itu mereka semakin menyulut kegirangan perang dan keghairahan bertempur Raja Duryodhana—gambaran yang menegaskan bagaimana sanjungan khalayak dapat menyuburkan keangkuhan yang melulu di ambang batas dharma.
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse cautions that external applause and group encouragement can intensify a warrior’s intoxication with power and conflict, pushing him toward rash action; ethical discernment (dharma) must not be surrendered to the crowd’s excitement.
Onlookers or attendants repeatedly clap and make a loud commotion, thereby heightening Duryodhana’s battle-joy and zeal—likened to how a musth elephant is roused and provoked by loud clapping.