Shloka 4
गजेन्द्रैश्न तथैवान्ये केचिदुष्टरैनराधिप । पदातिनस्तथैवान्ये नखरप्रासयोधिन:,नरेश्वर! कुछ लोग गजराजोंपर सवार थे और कुछ ऊँटोंपर। कितने ही बधनखों और भालोंसे युद्ध करनेवाले वीर पैदल ही चल रहे थे
Vaiśampāyana uvāca | gajendraiś ca tathaivānye kecid uṣṭraiḥ narādhipa | padātinas tathaivānye nakhara-prāsa-yodhinaḥ ||
ହେ ନରାଧିପ! କେହି ଗଜେନ୍ଦ୍ରରେ ଆରୋହଣ କରିଥିଲେ, କେହି ଉଠରେ। ଆଉ କେହି ପଦାତି ବୀର—ବଧନଖ ଓ ଭାଲାରେ ଯୁଦ୍ଧକୁଶଳ—ପାଇଁ ହେଟି ଅଗ୍ରସର ହେଉଥିଲେ।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse does not state a direct moral injunction; it reinforces the epic’s realism by depicting the diversity of forces—elephant corps, camel riders, and infantry—implying that power and duty (rājadharma) operate through organized, varied means rather than a single heroic mode.
Vaiśampāyana describes a martial movement or assembly: some warriors ride great elephants, some ride camels, and others proceed on foot, equipped for close combat and spear-fighting—setting the scene with concrete details of the troops.