ations: a) The people stabbing the elephant with arrows (sarehi) are enemy soldiers, trying to bring it down. b) The people goading the elephant with their shouts and voices (sarehi) are soldiers fighting on the same side as the elephant, urging it to charge into danger. The Commentary gives only the first interpretation. But if we accept both interpretations, the verse contains a more useful double warning: When thereâs a controversy, beware of the unrestrained people on both sides. Learn to endure the hurtful words of those on the other side who want to bring you down, and the hurtful words of those on your side who try to rouse your anger so that you will say something rash. - --> - - - -