Shloka 8
अर्जुनस्य दिग्विजयारम्भः — Arjuna Initiates the Northern Campaign and Secures Bhagadattta’s Tribute
एवमुक्त्वा जरासंधो भीमसेनमरिंदम: । प्रत्युध्ययौ महातेजा: शक्रं बल इवासुर:,ऐसा कहकर महातेजस्वी शत्रुदमन जरासंध भीमसेनकी ओर बढ़ा; मानो बल नामक असुर इन्द्रसे भिड़नेके लिये बढ़ा जा रहा हो
evam uktvā jarāsandho bhīmasenam ariṁdamaḥ | pratyudyayau mahātejāḥ śakraṁ balir ivāsuraḥ ||
So sprach er, und Jarāsandha—glanzvoll an Macht und Bezwinger der Feinde—schritt auf Bhīmasena zu, um ihn zu stellen, wie der Asura Bali voranschreitet, um Śakra (Indra) zu begegnen.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the epic theme that great power seeks its match and that confrontations between champions carry moral weight; by likening Jarāsandha’s advance to Bali confronting Indra, it warns how formidable strength—often allied with pride—can challenge established order, setting the stage for a decisive test of valor and righteousness.
After speaking, Jarāsandha steps forward to meet Bhīma in combat. The poet intensifies the scene by comparing Jarāsandha’s approach to the asura Bali advancing to fight Indra, signaling an imminent, high-stakes duel.