Shloka 82
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
तान् वासवानन्तरजो निशाम्य नरेन्द्रमुख्यान् द्रवत: समन्तात् । पार्थस्य दृष्टवा मृदुयुद्धतां च भीष्म च संख्ये समुदीर्यमाणम्,इन्द्रके छोटे भाई श्रीकृष्णने उन श्रेष्ठ राजाओंको सब ओर भागते देखा और इस बातपर भी लक्ष्य किया कि अर्जुन तो कोमलताके साथ युद्ध कर रहा है और भीष्म इस संग्राममें अधिकाधिक प्रचण्ड होते जा रहे हैं। यह सब देखकर सम्पूर्ण यदुकुलका भरण- पोषण करनेवाले महात्मा भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण सहन न कर सके। उन्होंने समस्त कौरवोंको सब ओरसे आक्रमण करते देख यशस्वी वीर सात्यकिकी प्रशंसा करते हुए कहा --
tān vāsavānantara-jo niśāmya narendra-mukhyān dravataḥ samantāt | pārthasya dṛṣṭvā mṛdu-yuddhatāṃ ca bhīṣmaṃ ca saṅkhye samudīryamāṇam ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing those foremost kings fleeing in all directions, and observing that Pārtha (Arjuna) was fighting with restraint while Bhīṣma, in the thick of battle, was being roused to ever greater ferocity, Vāsava’s younger brother (Śrī Kṛṣṇa) could not endure it. Beholding the Kauravas pressing their attack from every side, he praised the renowned hero Sātyaki and spoke.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension in righteous warfare: excessive softness in a crisis can enable greater harm, while unchecked ferocity can overwhelm the just. Kṛṣṇa’s reaction frames leadership as discerning when restraint must give way to decisive action to protect dharma and prevent collapse.
Sañjaya reports that many leading kings are fleeing. Arjuna is fighting with restraint, whereas Bhīṣma is becoming increasingly formidable. Seeing the Kauravas attacking from all sides, Kṛṣṇa cannot tolerate the situation and turns to praise Sātyaki, preparing to urge a stronger response.