Shloka 8
Kurukṣetra-sainyadarśana and Arjuna-viṣāda (धर्मक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः — अर्जुनविषाद)
महिषास्क्प्रिये नित्यं कौशिकि पीतवासिनि । अट्टहासे कोकमुखे नमस्ते<स्तु रणप्रिये
arjuna uvāca | mahiṣāsura-priye nityaṁ kauśiki pīta-vāsini | aṭṭahāse kokamukhe namas te 'stu raṇa-priye ||
Arjuna said: “O ever-delighting in the slaying of Mahiṣāsura, O Kauśikī, wearer of yellow garments! When you burst into loud laughter at the sight of foes, your face blazes like the ruddy cakravāka-bird. O lover of battle, to you I offer my salutations again and again.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before entering a righteous but perilous conflict, Arjuna grounds himself in humility and devotion, acknowledging that victory and protection ultimately depend on divine support aligned with dharma, not merely personal prowess.
On the eve of battle in the Bhīṣma Parva, Arjuna offers a praise-prayer to the Goddess (Kauśikī/Durgā), describing her martial radiance and her triumph over Mahiṣāsura, and repeatedly saluting her as a battle-loving protector.