Shloka 15
Śālva’s Elephant Assault and the Counterstroke (शाल्वस्य नागारूढाभ्यवहारः)
अद्य राजा सत्यधृति्तामित्रो युधिष्ठिर: । अद्य दुर्योधनो हीनो दीप्ताया नृपतिश्रिय:
adya rājā satyadhṛtir amitraḥ yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | adya duryodhano hīno dīptāyā nṛpatiśriyaḥ ||
Sañjaya nói: “Hôm nay vua Yudhiṣṭhira đứng vững trong chân lý và ý chí kiên định, trở thành kẻ thù đáng gờm đối với quân địch. Hôm nay Duryodhana bị tước mất hào quang vương giả rực cháy từng bao bọc lấy hắn.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts two kinds of power: inner strength rooted in truth (satyadhṛti) versus outer royal splendor (nṛpatiśrī). It implies that dharmic steadfastness endures and becomes decisive, while mere brilliance of kingship can fade when unrighteousness and misjudgment ripen into downfall.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra a turning point in the war: Yudhiṣṭhira appears resolute and formidable, while Duryodhana is described as having lost the radiance and confidence of sovereignty—signaling the Kaurava decline and the Pāṇḍava ascendancy.