Shloka 20
हुताशनादित्यसमानतेजसं पराक्रमे विष्णुपुरन्दरोपमम् | नये बृहस्पत्युशनो: सदा सम॑ न चैनमस्त्रं तदुपास्त दुःसहम्,“अग्नि और सूर्यके समान तेजस्वी, विष्णु और इन्द्रके समान पराक्रमी तथा सदा बृहस्पति और शुक्राचार्यके समान नीतिमान् इन गुरुदेवको बचानेके लिये इनके दुःसह अस्त्र आदि पास न आ सके अर्थात् उनकी रक्षा नहीं कर सके
sañjaya uvāca |
hutāśanādityasamānatejasaṃ parākrame viṣṇupurandaropamam |
naye bṛhaspatyuśanoḥ sadā samaṃ na cainam astraṃ tad upāsta duḥsaham ||
Dijo Sañjaya: “En resplandor era como el Fuego y el Sol; en valor se asemejaba a Viṣṇu y a Purandara (Indra); y en arte de gobernar era siempre igual a Bṛhaspati y a Uśanas (Śukrācārya). Sin embargo, aquella arma terrible no pudo proteger a este venerado maestro: su poder no logró acercarse para salvarlo.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts extraordinary excellence—radiance, valor, and political wisdom—with the sobering truth that even the most formidable weapons and protections may fail. It underscores human limitation before destiny and the moral gravity of war, where revered figures can still be struck down despite merit.
Sañjaya describes a revered teacher-like figure as possessing godlike brilliance, prowess, and counsel, yet notes that a fearsome astra was unable to safeguard him. The line functions as a lament and a narrative emphasis on the inexorable course of the battle.