Shloka 24
Bhīmasena’s Kalinga Engagement and the Approach of Bhīṣma (भीमसेन-कालिङ्ग-संग्रामः)
नवमेघप्रतीकाशाश्षाक्षिप्य तुरगान् गजा: । पादैरेव विमृद्नन्ति मत्ता: कनकभूषणा:,नूतन मेघोंके समान शोभा पानेवाले स्वर्णभूषित मतवाले हाथी बहुत-से घोड़ोंको सूँड्ोंस झटककर पैरोंसे ही रौंद डालते थे
sañjaya uvāca |
navameghapratīkāśāḥ kṣipya turagān gajāḥ |
pādair eva vimṛdnanti mattāḥ kanakabhūṣaṇāḥ ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Gaya ng mga ulap-ulan na bagong buo ang anyo, ang mga elepante—nagngangalit at may palamuting ginto—ay inihahagis ang mga kabayo at dinudurog sa ilalim ng kanilang mga paa. Ipinakikita ng tanawing ito ang napakalakas at walang kinikilingang puwersa ng digmaan, kung saan ang mga nilalang ay nagiging kasangkapan ng pagwasak sa gitna ng banggaan ng mga hukbo.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily offers vivid battlefield description rather than a direct moral injunction; implicitly, it highlights the terrifying momentum of war, where strength and frenzy can overwhelm life indiscriminately, inviting reflection on the human cost of conflict.
Sañjaya describes the combat: rut-maddened, gold-adorned elephants, dark like fresh rain-clouds, toss horses aside and crush them under their feet amid the chaos of the Kurukṣetra battle.