Shloka 3
Adhyāya 17 — गजयुद्ध-वृत्तान्तः, सहदेव-दुःशासन-संघर्षः, नकुल-कर्ण-समागमः
Elephant-battle account; Sahadeva–Duhshasana clash; Nakula–Karna encounter
मागधो>प्यतिविक्रान्तो द्विरदेन प्रमाथिना । भगदत्तादनवर: शिक्षया च बलेन च
māgadho 'py ativikrānto dviradena pramāthinā | bhagadattād anavaraḥ śikṣayā ca balena ca ||
Sañjaya disse: “Pārtha, este guerreiro de Magadha também é de valentia extraordinária. Ele possui um elefante de guerra esmagador, capaz de despedaçar as fileiras inimigas. Treinado nas melhores artes do combate e dotado de grande força, por essas qualidades não é em nada inferior a Bhagadatta em proeza.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Prowess in war is portrayed as arising from a combination of disciplined training (śikṣā), innate or cultivated strength (bala), and effective resources (such as a powerful war-elephant). The verse highlights merit-based evaluation—judging a warrior by capability rather than reputation alone.
Sanjaya is reporting to Dhritarashtra, identifying and assessing a formidable Magadhan fighter on the battlefield. He emphasizes the warrior’s elephant and martial preparation, concluding that this combatant is not inferior in valor to the renowned Bhagadatta.