Shloka 8
Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
चिराभिलषितो होष त्वया सह समागम: । पुरा देवासुरे युद्धे शक्रस्य बलिना यथा,जैसे पूर्वकालमें देवासुर-संग्राममें इन्द्रका राजा बलिके साथ युद्ध हुआ था, उसी प्रकार तुम्हारे साथ मेरा युद्ध हो, यह मेरी बहुत दिनोंकी अभिलाषा थी
cirābhilaṣito hoṣa tvayā saha samāgamaḥ | purā devāsure yuddhe śakrasya balinā yathā ||
Sañjaya said: “For a long time I have yearned for this encounter with you—may my battle with you be like that ancient clash in the war between gods and demons, when Indra fought with King Bali.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a present conflict through a revered mythic precedent (Indra vs. Bali), highlighting the kṣatriya ideal of seeking a worthy opponent and interpreting battle as a moment of destiny and honor rather than mere hostility.
The speaker expresses that he has long desired a direct confrontation with the addressed warrior, comparing the anticipated fight to the famed ancient devas–asuras battle where Indra fought King Bali, thereby intensifying the grandeur and inevitability of the coming clash.