Shloka 16
आदि पर्व — अध्याय ५५: पाण्डव-कौरववैरस्य संक्षेपवृत्तान्तः
Synopsis of the Pāṇḍava–Kaurava Estrangement
दम्भोद्धवेनासि समो बलेन रामो यथा शास्त्रविदस्त्रविच्च । औवर््रिताभ्यामसि तुल्यतेजा दुष्प्रेक्षणीयो5सि भगीरथेन,राजन! तुम बलमें दम्भोद्धवके समान और अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंके ज्ञानमें परशुरामके सदृश हो। तुम्हारा तेज और्व और त्रित नामक महर्षियोंके तुल्य है। राजा भगीरथकी भाँति तुम्हारी ओर देखना भी कठिन है
dambhoddhavenāsi samo balena rāmo yathā śāstravid astravic ca | aurvatr̥tābhyām asi tulyatejā duṣprekṣaṇīyo 'si bhagīrathena, rājan ||
Āstīka sprach: „O König, an Kraft bist du Dambhodbhava ebenbürtig; in der Beherrschung der heiligen Lehre und in der Kenntnis der Waffen bist du wie Rāma (Paraśurāma). An Strahlenglanz gleichst du den Weisen Aurva und Tṛta. Wie König Bhagīratha bist du so furchtgebietend in deinem Glanz, dass es schwer ist, dich anzublicken.“
आस्तीक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ideal of kingship where physical strength is balanced by disciplined learning (śāstra) and responsible martial expertise (astra). True authority is portrayed as ‘tejas’—a moral-spiritual brilliance that commands respect and restraint, not mere aggression.
Āstīka addresses the king with elevated praise, comparing him to renowned exemplars of strength, learning, ascetic radiance, and royal merit. The speech functions as respectful persuasion and honorific recognition within the Adi Parva’s Āstīka-related episode.