Shloka 24
देवराजं तदा यान्तं सह देवैरवेक्ष्य तु,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
devarājaṃ tadā yāntaṃ saha devair avekṣya tu, kṛṣṇam abhyudyatāstraṃ ca nādaṃ mumucur ulbaṇam |
Vaiśampāyana said: Seeing the lord of the gods approaching together with the gods, and beholding Kṛṣṇa with weapon raised, they let out a terrible cry. As the forest blazed in many ways and Kṛṣṇa (and his companion) stood ready with weapons, the creatures within—overwhelmed by ominous portents and distress—were seized by fear and wailed aloud.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension in epic action: even when a larger divine or heroic purpose is at work, the immediate experience for ordinary beings is fear and suffering. It invites reflection on responsibility, collateral harm, and the gravity of deploying force.
Indra, the king of the gods, is seen approaching with other gods. At the same time, Kṛṣṇa is seen with weapon raised. As the forest burns, the creatures within become terrified and cry out loudly, reacting to ominous signs and the destructive scene.