भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ९६: सौभद्रस्य आक्रमणम्, अलम्बुसस्य प्रतिविधानम्
Abhimanyu’s assault; Alambusa’s counter-engagement
केचिद् भिन्ना विषाणाग्रै्िन्नकुम्भाश्न तोमरै: । विनदन्तो<5 भ्यधावन्त गर्जमाना घना इव
sañjaya uvāca | kecid bhinnā viṣāṇāgrair bhinnakumbhāś ca tomaraiḥ | vinadanto 'bhyadhāvanta garjamānā ghanā iva ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: May mga elepanteng nabasag ang dulo ng pangil; ang iba nama’y nabiyak ang umbok sa noo (sa sentido) dahil sa hampas ng sibat. Sumisigaw at umuungal, nagtatakbuhan silang magulo, umuugong na parang mga ulap ng kulog.
संजय उवाच
The verse underscores the harsh reality of war: even mighty creatures like war-elephants are reduced to terror and pain. It implicitly cautions that violence spreads suffering beyond the primary combatants, revealing the ethical cost of battle.
Sañjaya describes battlefield chaos among elephants: some have tusk-tips broken, others have their temple-regions split by spears; they cry out and run about, roaring like thunderclouds.