Shloka 18
इन्द्रजिद्-लक्ष्मणयुद्धम्
Indrajit and Lakṣmaṇa: Escalation through Concealment
त्रिगर्तराज: सुरथस्तस्याथ रथधूर्गत: । रथमाक्षेपयामास गजेन गजयानवित्,तदनन्तर हाथीका संचालन करनेमें निपुण त्रिगर्तराज सुरथने नकुलके रथके धुरेके पास पहुँचकर अपने हाथीके द्वारा उनके रथको दूर फेंकवा दिया
trigartarājaḥ surathas tasyātha rathadhūrgataḥ | ratham ākṣepayāmāsa gajena gajayānavit ||
Wika ni Vaiśampāyana: Pagkaraan, si Suratha, hari ng mga Trigarta na bihasa sa pagpapatakbo ng elepante, ay inilapit ang elepante sa poste ng pamatok ng karwahe at, sa lakas nito, inihagis palayo ang karwahe.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the volatility of conflict: strength and tactical skill can abruptly shift advantage, so a warrior’s steadiness, alertness, and restraint are continually tested amid sudden reversals.
Suratha, king of the Trigartas, maneuvers his elephant up to the chariot’s yoke/shaft area and uses the elephant’s force to fling the opponent’s chariot away, demonstrating elephant-warfare tactics against chariots.