Shloka 8
Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 77 — Saindhava resistance, Arjuna’s restraint, and Duḥśalā’s supplication
ते समीक्ष्य च तं कृष्णमुग्रकर्माणमाहवे । सर्वे युयुधिरे वीरा रथस्थास्तं पदातिनम्,युद्धमें भयानक कर्म करनेवाले अर्जुनको पैदल देखकर वे सभी वीर रथपर आरूढ़ हो उनके साथ युद्ध करने लगे
te samīkṣya ca taṃ kṛṣṇam ugrakarmāṇam āhave | sarve yuyudhire vīrā rathasthās taṃ padātinam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Seeing Kṛṣṇa—terrible in his deeds amid battle—standing as a foot-soldier, all those heroes, mounted on their chariots, engaged him in combat.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war often brings unequal encounters—many chariot-mounted fighters attacking a single foot-combatant—thereby emphasizing the testing of courage and steadfastness when circumstances are unfair.
The warriors notice Kṛṣṇa, described as fearsome in battle, positioned as a foot-soldier; all of them, remaining on their chariots, move to fight him together.