Shloka 12
Sudeva Identifies Damayantī in Cedi (सुदेवेन दमयन्ती-परिचयः)
वनगुल्मांश्व धावन्तो निद्रान्धा बहवो5भवन् | केचिद् दत्तै: करै: केचित् केचित् पद्धयां हता गजै:,उन हाथियोंने सहसा पहुँचकर समूचे दलको कुचल दिया। कितने ही मनुष्य धरतीपर पड़े-पड़े छटपटा रहे थे। उस दलके कितने ही पुरुष हाहाकार करते हुए बचावकी जगह खोजते हुए जंगलके पौधोंके समूहमें भाग गये। बहुत-से मनुष्य तो नींदके मारे अन्धे हो रहे थे। हाथियोंने किन्हींको दाँतोंसे, किन्हींको सूड़ोंसे और कितनोंको पैरोंसे घायल कर दिया
bṛhadaśva uvāca | vanagulmāṃś ca dhāvanto nidrāndhā bahavo 'bhavan | kecid dattaiḥ karaiḥ kecit kecit pādhyāṃ hatā gajaiḥ |
Disse Bṛhadaśva: Muitos, cegados pelo sono, correram para os matagais da floresta. Os elefantes derrubaram alguns com as presas, outros com a tromba e outros ao pisoteá-los—e, naquele ímpeto súbito, esmagaram toda a tropa. Havia homens estirados no chão, contorcendo-se, enquanto outros, em pânico, gritavam e fugiam, buscando qualquer refúgio entre a vegetação da selva.
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical lesson of vigilance: when people are careless or overcome by sleep and complacency, sudden danger can devastate them; fear then fractures collective order, showing the need for discipline and preparedness.
A herd of elephants suddenly charges into a camp or troop, crushing and injuring many. Some men writhe on the ground, while others flee in terror into forest thickets; the elephants strike with tusks, trunks, and trampling feet.