Shloka 6.58.48

प्रहस्तवधः (The Slaying of Prahasta)

Devanagari script

उल्लिखन्तौसुतीक्ष्णाभिर्दंष्ट्राभिरितरेतरम् ।सिंहशार्दूलसदृशौसिंहशार्दूलचेष्टितौ ।।।।विक्रान्तविजयौवीरौसमरेष्न्विवर्तिनौ ।काङ्क्षमाणौयशःप्राप्तुंवृत्रवासवयोस्सह ।।।।

Transliteration

ullikhantau sutīkṣṇābhir daṃṣṭrābhir itaretaram |

siṃhaśārdūlasadṛśau siṃhaśārdūlaceṣṭitau || 6.58.48 ||

vikrāntavijayau vīrau samareṣv anivartinau |

kāṅkṣamāṇau yaśaḥ prāptuṃ vṛtravāsavayoḥ saha || 6.58.49 ||

Translation

Tearing at each other with razor-sharp fangs, they moved like a lion and a tiger. Both were heroes of proven victories, never turning back in battle, striving for fame like Vṛtra and Vāsava in their clash.

Context

Tearing up each other with exceedingly sharp teeth they were behaving like a lion and tiger. They had won many wars and never turned back in war. They were heroes like Vrta and Indra desiring to conquer and attain fame.

Characters & Entities

• Nīla
• Prahastha
• Vṛtra
• Vāsava (Indra)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

The verse highlights the human drive for fame (yaśas) in war; the dharmic lesson is that valor becomes truly worthy only when fame is sought as a byproduct of righteous duty, not as the primary aim.

What is the narrative situation?

The duel reaches savage intensity; the combatants are compared to predatory beasts and to the mythic clash of Vṛtra and Indra.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Unyielding bravery (anivartitva) and battle-prowess in both Nīla and Prahastha.