Shloka 25
देवसत्रे मृत्युनिरोधः, पूर्वेन्द्राणां मानुषावतरणम्, द्रौपदी-वरकथनम्
Suspension of Death at the Devasatra; Former Indras’ Human Descent; Draupadī’s Boon Etiology
मुष्टिभिर्जानुभिश्वैव निघ्नन्तावितरेतरम् । प्रकर्षणाकर्षणयोरभ्याकर्षविकर्षणै:
muṣṭibhir jānubhiś caiva nighnantāv itaretaram | prakarṣaṇākarṣaṇayor abhyākarṣa-vikarṣaṇaiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Mit Fäusten und Knien schlugen sie aufeinander ein und rangen dicht an dicht. Im Wettstreit von Ziehen und Stoßen zerrten sie einander abwechselnd heran und stießen sich wieder fort—jeder bemüht, den anderen aus dem Gleichgewicht zu bringen und zu Boden zu zwingen.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the raw mechanics of violent rivalry—mutual striking and grappling—implicitly inviting reflection on restraint and dharma: physical power without ethical governance becomes mere domination.
Two combatants are locked in a close fight, hitting with fists and knees while alternately pulling each other in, pushing away, and trying to throw the other down through grappling maneuvers.