Shloka 23
तदस्य कर्मातिमनुष्यकर्मण: समीक्ष्य हृष्टा: कुरवो5भ्यपूजयन् । पराक्रमज्ञास्तु धनंजयस्य ये हुतोडयमग्नाविति ते तु मेनिरे
tad asya karmātimanuṣyakarmaṇaḥ samīkṣya hṛṣṭāḥ kuravo 'bhyapūjayan | parākramajñās tu dhanañjayasya ye huto 'yam agnāv iti te tu menire ||
Sañjaya berkata: Melihat perbuatannya itu—sebuah laku yang melampaui ukuran manusia biasa—para Kaurava bersukacita dan memujinya. Namun mereka yang mengenal benar keperkasaan Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) menyimpulkan dengan pasti: “Vṛṣasena ini kini bagaikan persembahan yang telah dilemparkan ke dalam api; ia akan dilalap oleh daya Arjuna.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts surface admiration with informed discernment: crowds celebrate a spectacular feat, but those who understand the true balance of power foresee its consequence. It highlights how knowledge of character and capability leads to clearer moral and strategic judgment amid war.
Vṛṣasena performs an extraordinary martial act that excites the Kauravas, who praise him. Yet observers familiar with Arjuna’s established prowess interpret the moment as ominous foreshadowing—Vṛṣasena is effectively marked for destruction, likened to an oblation already consigned to fire.