Shloka 11
भीष्मस्य दुर्योधनं प्रति उपालम्भः
Bhīṣma’s Reproof to Duryodhana
कुण्जरैर्दशसाहसैर्वज्रानामधिप: स्वयम् । उसके पीछे मदकी धारा बहानेवाले पर्वताकार दस हजार गजराजोंकी सेना लिये स्वयं वंगदेशका राजा भी गया ।। १० है || तमापततन्तं सम्प्रेक्ष्य गजानीकेन संवृतम्
kuñjarair daśasāhasair vajrāṇām adhipaḥ svayam | tasya paścāt madakī-dhārā-vahane parvatākāre daśasahasra-gajarājānīkaṃ gṛhītvā svayaṃ vaṅgadeśa-rājāpi yayau || tam āpatantaṃ samprekṣya gajānīkena saṃvṛtam ||
Disse Sañjaya: O senhor dos Vajras avançou, acompanhado de dez mil elefantes. E atrás dele foi também o rei de Vaṅga, conduzindo ele próprio um exército de dez mil elefantes senhoriais, como montanhas, vertendo o licor do musth. Ao verem aquela força arremeter, cercada pelo seu corpo de elefantes, os guerreiros contemplaram uma vaga terrível de poder marcial.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how displays of sheer force—symbolized by massive elephant divisions—can create overwhelming momentum in war. Ethically, it cautions that when power and intimidation dominate, discernment about dharma and rightful conduct is easily pushed aside, even for kings acting under the banner of kṣatriya duty.
Sañjaya describes allied kings advancing in the Kurukṣetra war. First comes the leader of the Vajras with ten thousand elephants; behind him advances the king of Vaṅga, personally leading another ten thousand huge, musth-streaming elephants. The scene emphasizes a charging formation protected and defined by an elephant-corps.