Shloka 8
Kṛṣṇa-vīrya-kathana
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s appraisal of Vāsudeva’s deeds
प्रभिन्नमिव मातडुं यथा क्रुद्धं तरस्विनम् । प्रसन्नवदनं दृष्टवा प्रतिद्विरदगामिनम्
prabhinnam iva mātaṅgaṁ yathā kruddhaṁ tarasvinam | prasannavadanaṁ dṛṣṭvā pratidviradagāminam ||
قال فَيْشَمْبايَنَة: لما رأوه يتقدّم كالفيل الهائج في سَوْرته، غضبانَ ذا بأسٍ لا يُقاوَم، ومع ذلك بوجهٍ ساكنٍ مطمئن، يمضي قاصدًا أفيالَ العدوّ مواجهةً—شهدوا اجتماعَ سكينةِ النفس مع رهبةِ القوة القتالية.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ideal of inner composure amid violent duty: a warrior may act with overwhelming force in battle while maintaining a steady, untroubled mind—suggesting disciplined courage rather than rage-driven cruelty.
A formidable fighter is seen advancing directly against enemy elephants. The narrator compares his momentum to a musth elephant’s charge, while emphasizing that his face remains serene, underscoring controlled power in the midst of combat.