Shloka 26
नक्षत्रेषु श्राद्धफलविधानम् (Śrāddha Outcomes According to Nakṣatras)
राक्षसासुरसंघाश्व अनुजम्मुस्तमी श्वरम्
rākṣāsura-saṅghāś ca anujagmus taṃ īśvaram | rākṣasāś ca asurāś ca tasya śaktimataḥ kumārasya anugāmino 'bhavan | tān vardhamānān dṛṣṭvā tārakāsuro yuddhāya samāhvayat | kintu bahubhir upāyair api sa prabhāvaśālinaṃ kumāraṃ hantum na śaśāka ||
Bhishma said: “Hosts of rākṣasas and asuras rallied behind that lordly, powerful youth and became his followers. Seeing his strength and influence steadily grow, Tārakāsura challenged him to battle. Yet, despite trying many stratagems, the demon could not succeed in killing that radiant and formidable Kumāra.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that adharma-driven hostility—however forceful or cunning—cannot prevail against a divinely empowered, rightful force. Ethical strength and legitimate purpose attract allegiance and ultimately frustrate unjust aggression.
Rākṣasas and asuras gather and align themselves in relation to the powerful Kumāra. Seeing the Kumāra’s influence grow, Tārakāsura issues a battle challenge, but despite many tactics he fails to kill the Kumāra.