Shloka 56
महेन्द्रवाहप्रतिमेन तायुभौ महेन्द्रवीर्यपप्रतिमानपौरुषौ । सुवर्णमुक्तामणिवज्विद्रुमै- रलंकृतावप्रतिमेन रंहसा
mahendrāvāha-pratimena tāv ubhau mahendra-vīrya-pratimānapauruṣau | suvarṇa-muktā-maṇi-vajra-vidrumair alaṅkṛtāv apratimena raṁhasā ||
Śalya berkata: “Keduanya—Kṛṣṇa dan Arjuna—menaiki satu kereta perang yang sebanding dengan kereta Indra sendiri. Dalam daya dan keberanian ksatria mereka setara dengan Indra; dengan laju tiada banding mereka memancarkan wibawa, berhias perhiasan emas, mutiara, permata, intan, dan karang. Demikianlah, tanpa gentar dan penuh kemilau, mereka tampak di medan laga bagaikan kuasa ilahi yang menjelma—menyatakan keyakinan dan tekad dharma di tengah kedahsyatan perang.”
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical ideal of fearless resolve and disciplined prowess in a righteous cause: true strength is not mere aggression but confident steadiness aligned with duty, symbolized by Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna appearing ‘Indra-like’—power guided by higher purpose.
Śalya describes Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna entering or standing in the battle on a chariot likened to Indra’s—swift, incomparable, and richly adorned—highlighting their formidable presence and the awe they inspire among warriors.