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 ||
بہت سے تیروں سے زخمی وہ عظیم ہاتھی خون کی دھاریں اگلنے لگا؛ خون میں رنگا ہوا وہ گِیرو وغیرہ معدنی رنگوں سے نقش و نگار والے کوہِ شاہ کی مانند شاندار دکھائی دینے لگا۔ اور دشارن کا حاکم بھی پہاڑی چوٹی کے مانند ہاتھی کے ساتھ (آگے بڑھا)۔
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.