Shloka 483
मैत्रेयागमनम् — The Arrival of Maitreya and the Admonition to Duryodhana
यथैवौत्पलपत्राणि मत्तयोर्द्धिपयोस्तथा । जैसे दो मतवाले गजराजोंके मस्तकपर पड़े हुए कमलपत्र क्षणभरमें छिन्न-भिन्न होकर बिखर जाते हैं, वैसे ही उन दोनोंके मस्तकपर पड़े हुए वृक्षोंके अनेक टुकड़े हो जाते थे
yathaivautpalapatrāṇi mattayor dṛḍhipayostathā |
Vidura berkata: Seperti daun teratai yang jatuh ke atas kepala dua gajah perkasa yang mabuk, seketika itu juga terkoyak-rabak lalu berterbangan, demikianlah juga pohon-pohon yang menghentam kepala mereka pecah menjadi banyak serpihan.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a vivid simile to convey overwhelming force: when immense power is in motion, fragile things cannot withstand it and are instantly destroyed. Ethically, it cautions that unchecked might (like intoxicated elephants) can cause indiscriminate damage.
Vidura describes a scene involving two powerful, maddened elephants. Whatever falls or is brought onto their heads—likened to lotus leaves—gets torn apart immediately; similarly, trees striking them are shattered into pieces.