Shloka 8

भाण्डीरवट-क्रीडा: प्रलम्बासुरवधः, मानुष्यलीला, एक-कारण-तत्त्वम्

Devanagari script

ततश् चान्दोलिकाभिश् च नियुद्धैश् च महाबलौ व्यायामं चक्रतुस् तत्र क्षेपणीयैस् तथाश्मभिः

Transliteration

tataś cāndolikābhiś ca niyuddhaiś ca mahābalau vyāyāmaṃ cakratus tatra kṣepaṇīyais tathāśmabhiḥ

Translation

फिर वे दोनों महाबली वहाँ व्यायाम करने लगे—कभी झूलों पर, कभी मल्लयुद्ध में, और कभी क्षेपणीय अस्त्रों तथा पत्थरों को फेंककर।

Word by Word

ततःthen, thereafter

चand

आन्दोलिकाभिःwith swings (swinging games)

चand

नियुद्धैःwith wrestling/duels

चand

महाबलौthe two mighty ones

व्यायामम्exercise, physical training

चक्रतुःthey did, performed

तत्रthere

क्षेपणीयैःwith throwable (objects)

तथाalso, likewise

अश्मभिःwith stones

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)

Characters & Entities

Princes/warriors (two mighty ones)

FAQs

What is the significance of martial training in the Vishnu Purana’s dynastic narratives?

This verse highlights disciplined warrior practice—regulated combat and controlled displays of strength—as part of rightful kingship and social order (dharma) in the royal lineages.

How does Sage Parāśara present the ideal of Kshatriya conduct here?

By portraying training as structured (niyuddha) and skill-based—wrestling, drills, and throwing practice—Parāśara frames valor as disciplined preparation rather than mere aggression.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Even in a verse focused on princes, the Purana’s broader frame is that orderly sovereignty and dharmic rule ultimately rest on Vishnu’s cosmic governance, with kingship functioning as an instrument of that universal order.