Shloka 20
अपि सर्वेषु लोकेषु पुराणावृषिसत्तमौ । पूजनीयतमावेतावपि सर्व: सुरासुरै:,कृष्णमशभ्युद्यतास्त्रं च नादं मुमुचुरुल्बणम् | उन्होंने उस जलते हुए वनको और मारनेके लिये अस्त्र उठाये हुए श्रीकृष्ण तथा अर्जुनको देखा। उत्पात और आर्तनादके शब्दसे उस वनमें खड़े हुए वे सभी प्राणी संत्रस्त- से हो उठे थे। उस वनको अनेक प्रकारसे दग्ध होते देख और अस्त्र उठाये हुए श्रीकृष्णपर दृष्टि डाल भयानक आर्तनाद करने लगे
api sarveṣu lokeṣu purāṇāv ṛṣisattamau | pūjanīyatamāv etāv api sarvaḥ surāsuraiḥ | kṛṣṇam abhyudyatāstraṃ ca nādaṃ mumucur ulbaṇam ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “Even among all the worlds, these two ancient sages—foremost among seers—are most worthy of reverence, honored by all, whether gods or asuras. Yet, on seeing Kṛṣṇa with weapon raised, they let out a fierce and dreadful cry.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic tension: even the most venerable beings—revered across cosmic factions—can respond with alarm when confronted with overwhelming force. Reverence does not erase the gravity of violence; power demands restraint and discernment.
The narrator describes two supremely revered ancient sages. Upon seeing Kṛṣṇa with weapon raised, they emit a fierce cry—signaling fear, protest, or urgent warning in response to an imminent act of force.