Shloka 21
Duryodhana’s Anxiety, Bhīṣma’s Reassurance, and Renewed Mobilization (दुर्योधनचिन्ता–भीष्मप्रत्याश्वासन–सेनानिर्गमनम्)
पुत्रस्तु तव तेजस्वी भीमसेनेन ताडित: । नामृष्यत यथा नागस्तलशब्दं मदोत्कट:,भीमसेनके बाणोंसे पीड़ित होकर आपका तेजस्वी पुत्र उनके द्वारा किये गये आघातको उसी प्रकार नहीं सह सका, जैसे मतवाला हाथी तालीकी आवाज नहीं सहन करता है
putras tu tava tejasvī bhīmasenena tāḍitaḥ | nāmṛṣyata yathā nāgas talaśabdaṃ madotkaṭaḥ ||
ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ—ଭୀମସେନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରହାରରେ ଆହତ ତୁମ ତେଜସ୍ୱୀ ପୁତ୍ର ସେ ଆଘାତ ସହିପାରିଲା ନାହିଁ; ଯେପରି ମଦୋତ୍କଟ ହାତୀ ତାଳିର ତୀକ୍ଷ୍ଣ ଶବ୍ଦ ସହିପାରେ ନାହିଁ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral-psychological point: when one is swollen with pride or battle-intoxication, even a comparatively small provocation can become unbearable, leading to loss of composure. True strength includes kṣamā (forbearance) and steadiness under affront.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that his son, after being struck and pained by Bhīma’s attack, could not tolerate it. He illustrates this reaction with a simile: like a rut-maddened elephant that cannot bear the sharp sound of clapping.