Shloka 21
Duryodhana’s Anxiety, Bhīṣma’s Reassurance, and Renewed Mobilization (दुर्योधनचिन्ता–भीष्मप्रत्याश्वासन–सेनानिर्गमनम्)
पुत्रस्तु तव तेजस्वी भीमसेनेन ताडित: । नामृष्यत यथा नागस्तलशब्दं मदोत्कट:
putras tu tava tejasvī bhīmasenena tāḍitaḥ | nāmṛṣyata yathā nāgas talaśabdaṃ madotkaṭaḥ ||
三阇耶说道：你那光耀的儿子被毗摩塞那重重击中，竟难以忍受那一击——正如醉狂发情的猛象，不能忍受那尖厉的击掌声。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral-psychological point: when one is swollen with pride or battle-intoxication, even a comparatively small provocation can become unbearable, leading to loss of composure. True strength includes kṣamā (forbearance) and steadiness under affront.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that his son, after being struck and pained by Bhīma’s attack, could not tolerate it. He illustrates this reaction with a simile: like a rut-maddened elephant that cannot bear the sharp sound of clapping.