Shloka 15
कुम्भकर्णवधः — Kumbhakarṇa’s Fall and the Renewal of the Engagement
य: खड्गयोधी लघुचित्रहस्तो महांश्व धीमान् सहदेवोडद्धितीय:,जो खड्गद्वारा युद्ध करनेकी कलामें कुशल हैं, जिनका हाथ बड़ी फुर्तीसे अदभुत पैंतरे दिखाता हुआ चलता है, जो परम बुद्धिमान् और अद्वितीय वीर हैं, वे सहदेव मेरे पाँचवें पति हैं। ओ मूढ़ प्राणी! जैसे दैत्योंकी सेनामें देवराज इन्द्रका पराक्रम प्रकट होता है, उसी प्रकार युद्धमें तू आज सहदेवका महान् पौरुष देखेगा। वे शौर्यसम्पन्न, अस्त्रविद्याके विशेषज्ञ, बुद्धिमान, मनस्वी तथा धर्मपुत्र राजा युधिष्ठिरका प्रिय करनेवाले हैं
yaḥ khaḍgayodhī laghucitrahasto mahāṃś ca dhīmān sahadevo 'dvitīyaḥ | yo khaḍgadvārā yuddha-kalāyāṃ kuśalaḥ, yasya hastaḥ mahā-vegena adbhuta-paitarān darśayan calati, yaḥ paramabuddhimān advitīya-vīraḥ—sa sahadevaḥ mama pañcamaḥ patiḥ | he mūḍha prāṇin! yathā daitya-senāyāṃ devarāja-indrasya parākramaḥ prakāśate, tathā yuddhe tvam adya sahadevasya mahān pauruṣaṃ drakṣyasi | sa śaurya-sampannaḥ, astravidyā-viśāradaḥ, buddhimān, manasvī, dharmaputra-rāja yudhiṣṭhirasya priya-kārakaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Sahadeva—peerless and second to none—is a swordsman; his hand is swift and deft, displaying wondrous feints. Skilled in the art of war through the sword, supremely intelligent, and an unrivalled hero, he is my fifth husband. O deluded creature! Just as Indra’s might shines forth amid the armies of the Daityas, so today in battle you will behold Sahadeva’s great manliness. He is endowed with valor, a master of weapon-lore, wise and high-spirited, and ever intent on what pleases King Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Dharma.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True prowess is joined to discernment and dharmic loyalty: Sahadeva’s martial excellence is praised alongside his wisdom and his commitment to act for Yudhiṣṭhira’s good, presenting valor as ethically directed strength rather than mere aggression.
The speaker extols Sahadeva’s exceptional swordsmanship and battlefield capability, warning an opponent not to underestimate him. Sahadeva is likened to Indra whose might becomes manifest among the Daityas, emphasizing that his power will be unmistakably revealed in the coming fight.