Shloka 43
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
संजातरुधिरोत्पीडो धातुचित्र इवाद्रिराट् । अनेक बाणोंसे घायल हुआ वह महान् गज रक्तरंजित होकर गेरु आदि धातुओंसे विचित्र दिखायी देनेवाले गिरिराजके समान सुशोभित हुआ ।। ४२ है ।। दशार्णाधिपतिश्वापि गजं भूमिधरोपमम्
sañjāta-rudhirotpīḍo dhātu-citra ivādrirāṭ | aneka-bāṇair āhato mahān gajo rakta-rañjitaḥ geru-ādi-dhātubhiś citra-darśī girirāja iva suśobhitavān || daśārṇādhipatiś cāpi gajaṃ bhūmidharopamam ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: Nang tamaan ng maraming palaso, ang dakilang elepante ay nagsimulang bumulwak ang dugo. Namula sa dugo, lalo pa itong nagmistulang maringal—gaya ng hari ng mga bundok na may sari-saring kulay ng pulang okra at iba pang mineral. At ang panginoon ng Daśārṇa man ay (sumulong), sakay ng elepanteng maihahambing sa isang tuktok na tila nagbubuhat ng bundok.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the stark cost of war: even majestic beings like war-elephants become canvases of suffering. By likening blood-stained wounds to mineral colors on a mountain, the text heightens the tragic grandeur of battle, implicitly inviting reflection on the ethical weight borne under kṣatriya-dharma.
Sañjaya describes a great elephant struck by many arrows, bleeding profusely and appearing vividly colored like a mineral-streaked mountain. He then notes the approach/participation of the king of Daśārṇa as well, mounted on an elephant likened to a mountain.