Mahabharata — Bhishma Parva, Shloka 5
Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions
तोत्राडकुशनिपातश्च आयुधानां च नि:स्वनः । घण्टाशब्दश्न नागानामन्योन्यमभिधावताम्
toṭrāḍakuśanipātaś ca āyudhānāṁ ca niḥsvanaḥ | ghaṇṭāśabdaś ca nāgānām anyonyam abhidhāvatām ||
Disse Sañjaya: Ergueram-se o estalo dos chicotes e os golpes do aguilhão de elefante, o estrépito das armas em choque e o repicar dos sinos quando os grandes elefantes investiam uns contra os outros. Todos esses sons, juntos, avolumaram-se num bramido terrível, capaz de arrepiar os cabelos—uma imagem sonora da escuridão moral da guerra, em que seres vivos são impelidos e feridos para que os exércitos avancem.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse is primarily descriptive, but it implicitly highlights the grim cost of war: even animals are coerced by whip and goad, and the collective din symbolizes how violence overwhelms discernment—prompting reflection on dharma and the human responsibility behind organized harm.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the terrifying battlefield soundscape: whips and goads striking, weapons clashing, and bells ringing as elephants rush at each other—signaling the escalation and ferocity of the fighting.