Shloka 24
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 186 — Drupada’s Summons and the Pāñcāla Reception
एवं तेषु निवत्तेषु क्षत्रियेषु समन््तत: । चेदीनामधिपो वीरो बलवानन्तकोपम:,इस प्रकार जब वे सभी क्षत्रिय सब ओरसे हट गये, तब यमराजके समान बलवान, धीर, वीर, चेदिराज दमघोषपुत्र महाबुद्धिमान् शिशुपाल धनुष उठानेके लिये चला। परंतु उसपर हाथ लगाते ही घुटनोंके बल पृथ्वीपर गिर पड़ा
evaṁ teṣu nivṛtteṣu kṣatriyeṣu samantataḥ | cedīnām adhipo vīro balavān antakopamaḥ |
Als sich all jene Kṣatriyas ringsum zurückgezogen hatten, trat der heldenhafte Herr der Cedis—mächtig, Antaka (dem Tod) gleich—vor, um den Bogen zu ergreifen. Doch in dem Augenblick, da er die Hand darauf legte, brach er auf die Knie und stürzte zur Erde.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that physical might and heroic reputation do not guarantee success; actions driven by rivalry or entitlement can be restrained by an unseen moral order (dharma/daiva). It also suggests that arrogance in seizing what is contested may lead to sudden reversal.
After the surrounding kṣatriyas step back, the ruler of the Cedis—described as extremely powerful, like Death—moves to take up the bow. As soon as he touches it, he unexpectedly falls to the ground on his knees, indicating a dramatic check on his attempt.