Shloka 17
Śiśupāla-vadha in the Rājasūya-sabhā (शिशुपालवधः — राजसूयसभायाम्)
उत्पतन्तं तु वेगेन पुन: पुनररिंदम: । नस तं॑ चिन्तयामास सिंह: क्रुद्धो मृगं यथा
utpatantaṁ tu vegena punaḥ punar arindamaḥ | na sa taṁ cintayāmāsa siṁhaḥ kruddho mṛgaṁ yathā ||
But as he kept springing up again and again with great speed, the foe-subduer paid him no heed at all—just as an enraged lion does not reckon a mere deer worthy of concern. The verse underscores a moral contrast: empty, repeated aggression and display do not compel respect; true strength remains steady, unmoved by provocation.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that genuine strength and dignity are not shaken by repeated provocation; noisy or frantic aggression may be ignored by one who is truly powerful and composed.
In the royal assembly context, Śiśupāla repeatedly erupts with forceful outbursts; the ‘foe-subduer’ (here understood as Bhīma in the given Hindi gloss) does not bother to respond, likened to an angry lion disregarding a deer.