Shloka 346
Bhagadatta’s Advance, the Saṃśaptaka Challenge, and Arjuna’s Counterstrike (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय २६)
तथा वृद्धस्य चरितं कुञ्जरेण विशाम्पते । प्रजानाथ! उस युद्धस्थलमें हाथीके द्वारा बूढ़े राजा भगदत्तका हमलोगोंने अद्भुत पराक्रम देखा
tathā vṛddhasya caritaṃ kuñjareṇa viśāmpate | prajānātha! asmin yuddhasthale hastinā vṛddharājñaḥ bhagadattasya asmābhiḥ adbhutaṃ parākramaṃ dṛṣṭam |
सञ्जय उवाच—विशाम्पते प्रजानाथ! अस्माभिः समरे कुञ्जरेणारूढस्य वृद्धस्य भगदत्तस्य अद्भुतं पराक्रमं दृष्टम्।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that dharma and kṣatriya duty are not limited by age: even an elderly king can embody steadfast courage and responsibility in protecting his side. It also underscores the ethical weight of eyewitness narration—Sañjaya reports what was truly seen, shaping the king’s understanding of the war.
Sañjaya addresses Dhṛtarāṣṭra and reports that on the battlefield they witnessed Bhagadatta—an aged king—display astonishing prowess while fighting from his elephant, emphasizing the remarkable nature of his exploits.