Shloka 10
Ādi-parva, Adhyāya 187: Drupada’s Inquiry and the Dharma Debate on Draupadī’s Marriage
सिंहखेलगति: श्रीमान् मत्तनागेन्द्रविक्रम: । सम्भाव्यमस्मिन् कर्मेदमुत्साहाच्चानुमीयते,“इसकी सिंहके समान मस्तानी चाल है। यह शोभाशाली तरुण मतवाले गजराजके समान पराक्रमी प्रतीत होता है। इस वीरके लिये यह कार्य करना सम्भव है। इसका उत्साह देखकर भी ऐसा ही अनुमान होता है
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: siṁha-khela-gatiḥ śrīmān matta-nāgendra-vikramaḥ | sambhāvyam asmin karmedam utsāhāc cānumīyate ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “His gait is like the proud, playful stride of a lion. He is radiant, and his prowess resembles that of an intoxicated lord of elephants. For such a hero, this undertaking is indeed feasible; even his very ardor makes one infer that he can accomplish it.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a classical ethical criterion for action: capability inferred from observable qualities. A person’s bearing, radiance, and especially utsāha (resolute energy) are taken as signs of fitness to undertake demanding deeds.
Vaiśampāyana describes a hero’s appearance and movement using lion-and-elephant imagery, concluding that the proposed task is achievable for him; the assessment is based on his evident vigor and martial presence.