Shloka 17
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 42 — Duryodhana’s counsel to Bhīṣma on ajñātavāsa risk and raid strategy
आशीविषसमस्पर्श: परकायप्रभेदन: । गुरुभारसहो दिव्य: सपत्नानां भयप्रद:
āśīviṣasamasparśaḥ parakāyaprabhēdanaḥ | gurubhārasaho divyaḥ sapatnānāṁ bhayapradaḥ ||
উত্তৰে ক’লে—ই আশীবিষ সাপৰ স্পৰ্শৰ দৰে প্ৰাণঘাতক; পৰদেহ ভেদ কৰিব পৰা; গধুৰ ভাৰ সহিব পৰা; পৰাক্ৰমত দিব্য; আৰু প্ৰতিদ্বন্দ্বী বীৰসকলক ভয় দানকাৰী।
उत्तर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of formidable strength used as deterrence: true martial excellence is described not merely as aggression, but as a power that makes adversaries hesitate, thereby shaping the moral and strategic landscape of conflict.
Uttara is describing a warrior’s terrifying capabilities through vivid metaphors—deadly contact like a serpent, the ability to pierce foes, endurance under heavy loads, and near-divine prowess—emphasizing how such a fighter inspires fear in opponents.