Shloka 90
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
सो$भिद्रवन् भीष्ममनीकम ध्ये क्रुद्धों महेन्द्रावरज: प्रमाथी । व्यालम्बिपीतान्तपटकश्षुकाशे घनो यथा खे तडितावनद्ध:,देवराज इन्द्रके छोटे भाई श्रीकृष्ण समस्त शत्रुओंको मथ डालनेकी शक्ति रखते थे। वे उस सेनाके मध्यभागमें कुपित होकर जिस समय भीष्मकी ओर झपटे, उस समय उनके श्याम विग्रहपर लटककर हवाके वेगसे फहराता हुआ पीताम्बरका छोर उन्हें ऐसी शोभा दे रहा था, मानो आकाशगमें बिजलीसे आवेष्टित हुआ श्याम मेघ सुशोभित हो रहा हो
so 'bhidravan bhīṣmam anīkamadhye kruddho mahendrāvarajaḥ pramāthī | vyālambipītāntapaṭaḥ śukāśe ghano yathā khe taḍitāvanaddhaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then Kṛṣṇa—the younger brother of Indra, the mighty crusher of foes—rushed in fury toward Bhīṣma, right into the midst of the army. As he charged, the end of his yellow garment streamed and fluttered in the wind against his dark form, lending him a splendor like a dark cloud in the sky wrapped with lightning. The scene underscores how righteous resolve in battle can appear terrifyingly beautiful, even as it is driven by the urgent duty to protect dharma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the protection of dharma can demand fierce resolve: even a compassionate figure like Kṛṣṇa may assume a terrifying, battle-ready form when duty requires confronting adharma and safeguarding the righteous cause.
Sañjaya narrates Kṛṣṇa charging angrily toward Bhīṣma in the middle of the battlefield; the trailing yellow garment against his dark body is compared to lightning adorning a dark cloud in the sky, emphasizing the intensity and majesty of the moment.