Shloka 31
Chapter 19: Prativyūha of the Pāṇḍavas — Vajra (Acala) Formation and Dawn Omens
वारणा दशसाहस्रा: प्रभिन्नकरटामुखा: । शूरा हेममयैर्जललैर्दीप्पमाना इवाचला:,राजा युधिष्ठिरके पीछे वर्षाकालके मेघोंकी भाँति तथा पर्वतोंके समान ऊँचे-ऊँचे दस हजार गजराज जा रहे थे। उनके गण्डस्थलसे फूटकर मदकी धारा बह रही थी। वे सोनेकी जालीदार झूलोंसे उद्दीप्त हो रहे थे। उनमें शौर्य भरा था। वे मेघोंके समान मदकी बूँदें बरसाते थे। उनसे कमलके समान सुगन्ध निकलती थी और वे सभी बहुमूल्य थे
vāraṇā daśasāhasrāḥ prabhinnakaraṭāmukhāḥ | śūrā hemamayair jālaiḥ dīpyamānā ivācalāḥ ||
ରାଜା ଯୁଧିଷ୍ଠିରଙ୍କ ପଛରେ ପର୍ବତସମ ଉଚ୍ଚ ଦଶହଜାର ଗଜରାଜ ଅଗ୍ରସର ହେଲେ। ସେମାନଙ୍କ ଗଣ୍ଡସ୍ଥଳରୁ ମଦଧାରା ଫୁଟି ବହୁଥିଲା। ସୁବର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଜାଲିଦାର ଆବରଣରେ ସେମାନେ ଦୀପ୍ତ ଦିଶୁଥିଲେ, ଏବଂ ବର୍ଷାକାଳୀନ ମେଘମାନଙ୍କ ପରି ଗତି କରୁଥିଲେ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse is primarily descriptive rather than doctrinal: it highlights how immense military resources and outward splendor (golden trappings, mighty elephants) can project power and confidence in war, while also reminding the listener that such grandeur is part of a larger, morally fraught conflict where true dharma is tested beyond mere display.
Sañjaya reports the movement of Yudhiṣṭhira’s forces: a massive contingent of ten thousand war-elephants follows behind the king, exuding rut-fluid and shining with golden netted ornaments, compared to monsoon clouds and mountains to convey their overwhelming presence.