Shloka 25
Bhagadatta’s Advance, the Saṃśaptaka Challenge, and Arjuna’s Counterstrike (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय २६)
कुलालचक्रवन्नागस्तदा तूर्णमथा भ्रमत् । नागायुतबल: श्रीमान् कालयानो वृकोदरम्,उस समय वह हाथी तुरंत ही कुम्हारके चाकके समान सब ओर घूमने लगा। उसमें दस हजार हाथियोंका बल था। वह शोभायमान गजराज भीमसेनको मार डालनेका प्रयत्न कर रहा था
kulālacakravan nāgas tadā tūrṇam atha bhramat | nāgāyutabalaḥ śrīmān kālayāno vṛkodaram ||
सञ्जय उवाच—तदा स नागः कुलालचक्रवद् तूर्णं सर्वतो भ्रमत्। नागायुतबलः श्रीमान् कालयानो वृकोदरं हन्तुमैच्छत्।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the war-ethic reality that immense power, when driven by hostile intent, becomes a destructive force; it invites reflection on how martial prowess and momentum can eclipse restraint, even against renowned warriors.
Sañjaya describes the elephant Kālayāna spinning rapidly in all directions like a potter’s wheel, boasting the strength of ten thousand elephants, and attempting to kill Bhīma (Vṛkodara) amid the battle.