Shloka 11
Nala’s Embassy to Damayantī and the Gods’ Proposal (नलस्य दूतत्वं देवप्रस्तावश्च)
ते वयं बाहुबलिन: क्रोधमुत्थितमात्मन: । सहामहे भवन्न्मूलं वासुदेवेन पालिता:,“हम सब लोग बाहुबलसे सम्पन्न हैं और भगवान् वासुदेव हमारे रक्षक हैं तो भी हम आपके कारण अपने उठे हुए क्रोधको चुपचाप सह लेते हैं
te vayaṃ bāhubalinaḥ krodham utthitam ātmanaḥ | sahāmahe bhavan-mūlaṃ vāsudevena pālitāḥ ||
“We are men of mighty arms; yet, though anger rises within us—an anger provoked because of you—we endure it in silence, since we are protected and restrained under the guardianship of Vāsudeva.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one has the power to retaliate, dharma is upheld through restraint: anger may arise naturally, but it should be borne and governed—especially under the guidance of a righteous protector like Vāsudeva. Strength is shown not only in force, but in self-mastery.
Vaiśampāyana reports a statement by a group speaking collectively: they emphasize their martial strength, acknowledge that anger has been provoked ‘because of you,’ yet declare that they are enduring it because they are under Vāsudeva’s protection and discipline—implying a deliberate choice to avoid immediate violent response.