Shloka 60
कर्णेन युधिष्ठिरानीकविदारणम् / Karṇa’s Breach of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Battle-Line
ब्रह्मर्षिभि: स्तूयमानो वन्द्यमानश्न वन्दिभि: | तथैवाप्सरसां वृन्दैर्न॑त्यद्धिर्न॑त्यकोविदै:,ब्रह्मर्षियोंद्वारा प्रशंसित, वन्दीजनोंद्वारा वन्दित तथा नाचती हुई नृत्य-कुशल अप्सराओंसे सुशोभित होते हुए वरदायक भगवान् शिव खड़्ग, बाण और धनुष ले देवताओंसे हँसते हुए-से बोले--'“मेरा सारथि कौन होगा?”
brahmarṣibhiḥ stūyamāno vandyamānaś ca vandibhiḥ | tathaivāpsarasāṁ vṛndair nṛtyadbhir nṛtyakovidaiḥ ||
Praised by the Brahmarṣis and saluted by the bards, and likewise adorned by companies of Apsarases—dancing with consummate skill—Lord Śiva, the bestower of boons, bearing sword, arrows, and bow, spoke as though smiling at the gods: ‘Who will be my charioteer?’
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how divine power is approached through reverence and praise, yet remains sovereign and purposeful: even when surrounded by celestial honor, Śiva is depicted as actively preparing for action (weapons in hand) and asserting agency by choosing a charioteer. Ethically, it underscores that boons and divine favor are not mere spectacle; they are tied to responsibility, readiness, and the right ordering of roles (leader and sārathi) in moments of conflict.
Duryodhana narrates a vision-like scene in which Lord Śiva appears in splendor—praised by great sages, saluted by bards, and attended by dancing Apsarases. Armed with sword, arrows, and bow, Śiva addresses the gods with a smile and asks who will serve as his charioteer, signaling imminent martial engagement and the formal arrangement of a divine chariot for action.