Shloka 2
धनंजयस्य आश्वासनम्
Dhanaṃjaya’s Reassurance and the Opening Engagement
अभ्याशे वाजिनस्तस्थु: समारूढा: प्रहारिण: । भीमरूपाश्न मातज्रास्तोमराड्कुशनोदिता: । महामात्रै: समारूढा विचित्रकवचोच्च्चला:
vaiśampāyana uvāca | abhyāśe vājinās tasthuḥ samārūḍhāḥ prahāriṇaḥ | bhīmarūpāś ca mātaṅgās tomarāṅkuśanoditāḥ | mahāmātraiḥ samārūḍhā vicitrakavacojjvalāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Os cavaleiros—montados e prontos para golpear—aproximaram-se e tomaram posição. Com eles avançaram elefantes temíveis, incitados por seus mahouts com aguilhões e estocadas de lança. Sobre esses elefantes iam guerreiros valentes, e suas armaduras variadas resplandeciam enquanto as forças pressionavam com ímpeto disciplinado.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how organized force relies not only on bravery but also on control—here, even mighty elephants are made instruments of war through coercive tools. It implicitly raises an ethical tension: martial power often depends on domination over both humans and animals, reminding readers that the machinery of war is sustained by discipline and compulsion.
A contingent of mounted horsemen takes up position close to the opposing side, while fearsome war-elephants advance. The mahouts drive the elephants forward with goads and spear-prods, and the warriors seated atop them shine in their ornate armor as the battle pressure intensifies.