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 ||
Mereka melihatnya maju bagaikan gajah yang sedang musth—murka dan tak tertahan—namun wajahnya tetap tenang; ia melangkah lurus menghadapi gajah-gajah musuh.
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.