Adhyāya 17 — गजयुद्ध-वृत्तान्तः, सहदेव-दुःशासन-संघर्षः, नकुल-कर्ण-समागमः
Elephant-battle account; Sahadeva–Duhshasana clash; Nakula–Karna encounter
मागधो>प्यतिविक्रान्तो द्विरदेन प्रमाथिना । भगदत्तादनवर: शिक्षया च बलेन च
māgadho 'py ativikrānto dviradena pramāthinā | bhagadattād anavaraḥ śikṣayā ca balena ca ||
三阇耶说道:“帕尔塔啊,这位摩揭陀的战士同样勇猛绝伦。他拥有一头能碾碎敌阵的凶悍战象。又受过上乘的战技训练,兼具雄浑之力;凭此诸般资质,其武勇丝毫不逊于婆伽达多。”
संजय उवाच
Prowess in war is portrayed as arising from a combination of disciplined training (śikṣā), innate or cultivated strength (bala), and effective resources (such as a powerful war-elephant). The verse highlights merit-based evaluation—judging a warrior by capability rather than reputation alone.
Sanjaya is reporting to Dhritarashtra, identifying and assessing a formidable Magadhan fighter on the battlefield. He emphasizes the warrior’s elephant and martial preparation, concluding that this combatant is not inferior in valor to the renowned Bhagadatta.