Shloka 8
Sudeva Identifies Damayantī in Cedi (सुदेवेन दमयन्ती-परिचयः)
ते तान् ग्राम्यगजान् दृष्टवा सर्वे वनगजास्तदा । समाद्रवन्त वेगेन जिघांसन्तो मदोत्कटा:,तब वनमें रहनेवाले उन सभी मदोन्मत्त गजोंने उन ग्रामीण हाथियोंको देखकर उन्हें मार डालनेकी इच्छासे उनपर वेगपूर्वक आक्रमण किया
te tān grāmyagajān dṛṣṭvā sarve vanagajāstadā | samādravanta vegena jighāṃsanto madotkaṭāḥ ||
Wika ni Bṛhadaśva: “Nang makita ng lahat ng elepanteng gubat ang mga elepanteng alaga, sila—na nag-aalab sa musth (mada)—ay sumugod nang buong bilis, udyok ng pagnanais na pumatay.”
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of mada—intoxicating pride or rut—where power without restraint becomes destructive. It implicitly values self-control and disciplined strength as dharmic virtues.
Wild forest elephants, excited by rut, see domesticated village elephants and rush at them violently, intending to kill, creating a sudden and dangerous clash.