Shloka 8
Kṛṣṇa-vīrya-kathana
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s appraisal of Vāsudeva’s deeds
प्रभिन्नमिव मातडुं यथा क्रुद्धं तरस्विनम् । प्रसन्नवदनं दृष्टवा प्रतिद्विरदगामिनम्
prabhinnam iva mātaṅgaṁ yathā kruddhaṁ tarasvinam | prasannavadanaṁ dṛṣṭvā pratidviradagāminam ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Le voyant s’avancer tel un éléphant en rut, furieux et d’une force irrésistible, mais le visage paisible et maîtrisé, marchant droit contre les éléphants ennemis, ils virent s’unir en lui le calme souverain et la puissance guerrière redoutable.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ideal of inner composure amid violent duty: a warrior may act with overwhelming force in battle while maintaining a steady, untroubled mind—suggesting disciplined courage rather than rage-driven cruelty.
A formidable fighter is seen advancing directly against enemy elephants. The narrator compares his momentum to a musth elephant’s charge, while emphasizing that his face remains serene, underscoring controlled power in the midst of combat.