Shloka 35
Chapter 51: Saṃdhyākāla-saṃhāra
Evening Withdrawal after Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
प्रगृहीताग्रहस्तेन वैराटिरपि दन्तिना । अभ्यद्रवत राजानं मद्राधिपतिमुत्तर:
sañjaya uvāca |
pragṛhītāgrahastena vairāṭir api dantinā |
abhyadravat rājānaṃ madrādhipatim uttaraḥ ||
三阇耶说：就在此时，维罗吒王子乌多罗骑着一头长牙巨象，那象将鼻端卷起贴近口边，直冲摩陀罗之主——沙利耶王而去。战阵拥挤之中，少年之勇往往以正面挑战求取声名；然而这般鲁莽的冲击，也在战争的混乱里考验着谨慎与职责的界限。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya valor expressed as direct engagement with a formidable opponent; ethically, it also implies that courage in war must be balanced with discernment, since rash heroism can endanger oneself and one’s side.
Sañjaya reports that Uttara, riding a tusked elephant with its trunk curled and held close, rushes to attack King Śalya, the ruler of Madra, during the battle.