Shloka 36
Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
तौ परस्परमासाद्य दंष्टाभ्यां द्विरदौ यथा
tau parasparam āsādya daṁṣṭābhyāṁ dviradau yathā
Sañjaya berkata: Kedua-duanya mara saling mendekati, bertembung berdepan seperti sepasang gajah perkasa yang mengunci gading—lambang pertempuran tanpa mengalah, tiada siapa berundur, dan hentaman itu sendiri menjadi ukuran tekad mereka.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness in battle: when duty and rivalry converge, true resolve is shown by meeting the opponent directly, without retreat—symbolized by elephants that lock tusks and endure the strain.
Sañjaya describes two warriors engaging at close quarters. Their encounter is compared to two elephants colliding and locking tusks, conveying the intensity, equality, and stubborn persistence of the fight.