Shloka 423
Bhagadatta’s Advance, the Saṃśaptaka Challenge, and Arjuna’s Counterstrike (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय २६)
प्रेषयामास सहसा युयुधानरथं प्रति । उस समय प्राग्ज्योतिषपुरके राजाने उस महान् गजराजको सब ओरसे काबूमें करके सहसा सात्यकिके रथकी ओर बढ़ाया
preṣayāmāsa sahasā yuyudhānarathaṃ prati |
ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ—ସେତେବେଳେ ପ୍ରାଗ୍ଜ୍ୟୋତିଷପୁରର ରାଜା ସେଇ ମହାଗଜରାଜକୁ ସବୁପଟେ ନିୟନ୍ତ୍ରଣରେ ରଖି, ହଠାତ୍ ସାତ୍ୟକିଙ୍କ ରଥ ଦିଗକୁ ଧାଇଁ ଦେଲେ। ଯୁଦ୍ଧର ଘନଘଟାରେ ନିଜ ବାହନ ଉପରେ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଅଧିକାର ହିଁ ଅସ୍ତ୍ର ହୁଏ, ଏବଂ ନିଶ୍ଚୟ ନିର୍ଣ୍ଣାୟକ ଗତିରେ ପ୍ରକାଶ ପାଏ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the battlefield ethic of the Mahābhārata, power is inseparable from discipline: the king’s ability to control a massive elephant symbolizes mastery over instruments of violence. The verse highlights how decisive intent and controlled force shape outcomes, while also implying the moral weight of directing such force against a worthy opponent.
Sañjaya narrates that the king of Prāgjyotiṣapura, after steadying and controlling his great war-elephant, suddenly charges it toward Sātyaki (Yuyudhāna) and his chariot, initiating a direct and dangerous assault.