Shloka 19
Uttanka’s Inquiry and Vāsudeva’s Adhyātma Exposition
Guṇa–Ritual–Immanence Teaching
इत्युक्तवचने कृष्णे भूशं क्रोधसमन्वित: । उत्तड़क इत्युवाचैनं रोषादुत्फुल्ललोचन:,भगवान् श्रीकृष्णके इतना कहते ही उत्तंक मुनि अत्यन्त क्रोधसे जल उठे और रोषसे आँखें फाड़-फाड़कर देखने लगे। उन्होंने श्रीकृष्णसे इस प्रकार कहा
iti uktavacane kṛṣṇe bhṛśaṃ krodhasamanvitaḥ | uttaṅka iti uvāca enaṃ roṣāt utphullalocanaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: When Kṛṣṇa had spoken these words, the sage Uttaṅka became intensely inflamed with anger. With eyes widened in wrath, he addressed Śrī Kṛṣṇa in a furious tone. The passage frames a moral tension: even when a revered figure speaks, a listener who feels wronged may react with uncontrolled indignation—setting the stage for a confrontation about dharma, responsibility, and restraint.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of krodha (anger): even a sage can be overtaken by wrath, which distorts perception ("eyes widened") and drives harsh speech. It prepares the reader for a dharmic examination of how one should respond to perceived injustice—with restraint and discernment rather than reactive fury.
After Kṛṣṇa finishes speaking, the sage Uttaṅka becomes extremely angry. In that agitated state, he turns to address Kṛṣṇa directly, signaling the start of a tense exchange that will probe responsibility and dharma in the aftermath of the great war.