Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 4
Nakula’s Engagement with Citra-sena and Karṇa’s Sons; Śalya Re-stabilizes the Kaurava Host
जैसे वर्षाकालके आकाशमें मेघोंकी गम्भीर गर्जना होती रहती है, उसी प्रकार रणभूमिमें दौड़ लगाते हुए भीमकाय गजराजोंका महान् कोलाहल सुनायी देने लगा ।।
yathā varṣākāle ākāśe meghānāṃ gambhīrā garjanā satataṃ bhavati, tathā raṇabhūmau dhāvantāṃ bhīmakāyānāṃ gajarājānāṃ mahān kolāhalaḥ śrūyate sma. nāgair abhyāhatāḥ kecit sarathā rathino ’patan; vyadravanta raṇe vīrā drāvyamāṇā madotkaṭaiḥ.
Sañjaya disse: “Assim como, na estação das chuvas, o céu se enche continuamente do profundo ribombar das nuvens, assim, no campo de batalha, ergueu-se um grande alarido dos poderosos reis-elefantes que corriam em carga. Atingidos por esses elefantes, alguns guerreiros de carro tombaram ao chão com seus carros; e muitos heróis, repelidos por elefantes tornados ferozes pelo cio, dispersaram-se e fugiram na luta.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the overwhelming force of uncontrolled power in war: when strength (here, rut-maddened elephants) surges without restraint, even trained warriors lose formation and composure. Ethically, it highlights how battle amplifies fear and chaos, testing steadiness and discipline.
Sañjaya describes the battlefield soundscape and action: the roar of charging elephants is likened to monsoon thunder. Elephants strike chariots, causing some chariot-warriors to fall with their vehicles, while others are driven back and flee in confusion.