Shloka 8
देवसत्रे मृत्युनिरोधः, पूर्वेन्द्राणां मानुषावतरणम्, द्रौपदी-वरकथनम्
Suspension of Death at the Devasatra; Former Indras’ Human Descent; Draupadī’s Boon Etiology
युद्धार्थी वासिताहेतोर्गज: प्रतिगजं यथा । भीमसेनं ययौ शल्यो मद्राणामी श्वरो बली
vaiśampāyana uvāca | yuddhārthī vāsitāhetor gajaḥ pratigajaṃ yathā | bhīmasenaṃ yayau śalyo madrāṇām īśvaro balī ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Kung paanong ang isang elepante, sabik makipaglaban alang-alang sa isang babaeng elepante, ay sumusugod upang salubungin ang karibal na elepante, gayon din si Śalya, ang makapangyarihang panginoon ng Madra, ay lumabas upang harapin si Bhīmasena sa labanan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how powerful beings can be propelled into conflict by personal motives—here symbolized by an elephant fighting for a mate—suggesting that desire and rivalry can intensify violence and override restraint, even within a warrior culture.
The narrator describes Śalya, the strong ruler of the Madras, advancing to confront Bhīmasena in battle, using the vivid comparison of one elephant moving to clash with another.