Shloka 2
Śiva-darśana through Tapas and Stuti (उपमन्यु–कृष्ण संवादः)
धर्मे दृढत्वं युधि शत्रुघातं यशस्तथाग्रयं परमं बलं च । योगप्रियत्वं तव संनिकर्ष वृणे सुतानां च शतं शतानि,“धर्ममें दृढ़तापूर्वक स्थिति, युद्धमें शत्रुओंका संहार करनेकी क्षमता, श्रेष्ठ यश, उत्तम बल, योगबल, सबका प्रिय होना, आपका सांनिध्य तथा दस हजार पुत्र--ये ही आठ वर मैं माँग रहा हूँ!
dharme dṛḍhatvaṃ yudhi śatrughātaṃ yaśas tathāgryaṃ paramaṃ balaṃ ca | yogapriyatvaṃ tava saṃnikarṣaṃ vṛṇe sutānāṃ ca śataṃ śatāni ||
Kṛṣṇa said: “I choose these boons: steadfastness in dharma; the power to strike down enemies in battle; foremost renown; supreme strength; delight in yoga (spiritual discipline); being dear to all; your close presence; and hundreds upon hundreds of sons. These are the eight boons I ask.”
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ideal of integrated excellence: unwavering commitment to dharma, competence in righteous warfare, and the pursuit of inner discipline (yoga), all balanced with social goodwill, supportive companionship, and continuity of lineage. Ethical strength is presented as inseparable from martial and spiritual strength.
Śrī Kṛṣṇa, as the speaker, enumerates a set of desired boons—eight in total—covering moral steadfastness, victory in battle, fame, strength, love of yoga, popularity, the benefactor’s close presence, and abundant sons. The verse is a formal request listing the boons in a compact, poetic sequence.