Shloka 24
एवं तेषु निवत्तेषु क्षत्रियेषु समन््तत: । चेदीनामधिपो वीरो बलवानन्तकोपम:,इस प्रकार जब वे सभी क्षत्रिय सब ओरसे हट गये, तब यमराजके समान बलवान, धीर, वीर, चेदिराज दमघोषपुत्र महाबुद्धिमान् शिशुपाल धनुष उठानेके लिये चला। परंतु उसपर हाथ लगाते ही घुटनोंके बल पृथ्वीपर गिर पड़ा
evaṁ teṣu nivṛtteṣu kṣatriyeṣu samantataḥ | cedīnām adhipo vīro balavān antakopamaḥ |
When all those kṣatriyas had withdrawn on every side, the heroic lord of the Cedis—mighty and resembling Antaka (Death)—advanced to take up the bow. Yet, the moment he laid his hand upon it, he collapsed to the earth on his knees. The scene underscores how sheer force and royal pride can be checked by an unseen moral order, and how a contested act of seizure may be thwarted despite outward valor.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that physical might and heroic reputation do not guarantee success; actions driven by rivalry or entitlement can be restrained by an unseen moral order (dharma/daiva). It also suggests that arrogance in seizing what is contested may lead to sudden reversal.
After the surrounding kṣatriyas step back, the ruler of the Cedis—described as extremely powerful, like Death—moves to take up the bow. As soon as he touches it, he unexpectedly falls to the ground on his knees, indicating a dramatic check on his attempt.