Shloka 82
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
तान् वासवानन्तरजो निशाम्य नरेन्द्रमुख्यान् द्रवत: समन्तात् । पार्थस्य दृष्टवा मृदुयुद्धतां च भीष्म च संख्ये समुदीर्यमाणम्
tān vāsavānantara-jo niśāmya narendra-mukhyān dravataḥ samantāt | pārthasya dṛṣṭvā mṛdu-yuddhatāṃ ca bhīṣmaṃ ca saṅkhye samudīryamāṇam ||
Sañjaya dit : Voyant ces rois éminents fuir de toutes parts, et constatant que Pārtha (Arjuna) combattait avec retenue tandis que Bhīṣma, au cœur de la mêlée, était excité à une férocité toujours plus grande, le cadet de Vāsava (Śrī Krishna) ne put le supporter. Voyant les Kaurava presser l’assaut de tous côtés, il loua le héros illustre Sātyaki et prit la parole—
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension in righteous warfare: excessive softness in a crisis can enable greater harm, while unchecked ferocity can overwhelm the just. Kṛṣṇa’s reaction frames leadership as discerning when restraint must give way to decisive action to protect dharma and prevent collapse.
Sañjaya reports that many leading kings are fleeing. Arjuna is fighting with restraint, whereas Bhīṣma is becoming increasingly formidable. Seeing the Kauravas attacking from all sides, Kṛṣṇa cannot tolerate the situation and turns to praise Sātyaki, preparing to urge a stronger response.