Shloka 10
विराटसभायां पाण्डवानां प्रवेशः — Arjuna’s Encomium of Yudhiṣṭhira in Virāṭa’s Court
निपातिते दन्तिवरे पृथिव्यां त्रासाद् विकर्ण: सहसावतीर्य । तूर्ण पदान्यष्टशतानि गत्वा विविंशते: स्यन्दनममारुरोह,उस विशाल हाथीके धराशायी हो जानेपर विकर्ण बहुत डर गया और सहसा कूदकर शीघ्रतापूर्वक भाग गया और आठ सौ पग चलकर विविंशतिके रथपर चढ़ गया
nipātite dantivare pṛthivyāṃ trāsād vikarṇaḥ sahasāvatīrya | tūrṇaṃ padāny aṣṭaśatāni gatvā viviṃśateḥ syandanam amāruroha ||
ବୈଶମ୍ପାୟନ କହିଲେ—ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ହାତୀଟି ଭୂମିରେ ପଡ଼ିଯିବା ସହିତେ ବିକର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଭୟରେ ଆକୁଳ ହୋଇ ହଠାତ୍ ତଳକୁ ଝାପି ପଡ଼ିଲା। ସେ ତୁରନ୍ତ ଆଠଶେ ପଦ ଦୌଡ଼ି ଯାଇ ବିବିଂଶତିଙ୍କ ରଥରେ ଚଢ଼ିଲା।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the psychological reality of battle: when circumstances abruptly turn—here, the fall of a powerful elephant—fear can overwhelm composure, prompting retreat and dependence on comrades. It invites reflection on steadiness (dhairya) and the ethical ideal of self-control under pressure.
After a great elephant is knocked down, Vikarṇa becomes frightened, jumps down, runs about eight hundred paces, and then climbs onto Viviṃśati’s chariot, seeking safety and support amid the ongoing combat.