Shloka 8
बलदेवद्वितीयेन कृष्णेनामित्रघातिना । तरस्वी समरे दग्ध: ससैन्य: शूरसेनराट्
baladevadvitīyena kṛṣṇenāmitraghātinā | tarasvī samare dagdhaḥ sasainyaḥ śūrasenarāṭ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Accompanied by Baladeva, Kṛṣṇa—the slayer of foes—burned with irresistible might in the battle; and the king of the Śūrasenas, together with his army, was consumed. The verse underscores how martial power, when allied with a formidable protector and directed by a relentless warrior, can annihilate not only an individual ruler but also the collective force that sustains him—raising the ethical tension between heroic prowess and the devastation it brings.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the overwhelming consequences of concentrated martial power: when a mighty warrior acts with strong support, the result can be total destruction of both ruler and army. It invites reflection on kṣatriya-duty and the moral cost of victory achieved through annihilation.
Vaiśampāyana describes Kṛṣṇa, accompanied by Baladeva, acting with great force in battle, leading to the burning/consuming destruction of the Śūrasena king along with his troops.