Shloka 9
Śalya’s Consecration as Senāpati and Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira (शल्यस्य सेनापत्यभिषेकः)
स्थाणोर्वृषस्य सदृशं स्कन्धनेत्रगतिस्वरै: । पुष्टश्लिष्टायत भुजं सुविस्तीर्णवरोरसम्
sthāṇor vṛṣasya sadṛśaṃ skandha-netra-gati-svaraiḥ | puṣṭa-śliṣṭāyata-bhujaṃ suvistīrṇa-varorasaṃ
സഞ്ജയൻ പറഞ്ഞു—അവൻ അചഞ്ചലസ്തംഭമോ മഹാബലവൃഷഭമോ പോലെയായിരുന്നു; തോളുകൾ, ദൃഷ്ടി, നടപ്പ്, സ്വരം—എല്ലാം ആ ശക്തിയോട് ഒത്തിരുന്നു. ഭുജങ്ങൾ പുഷ്ടവും ചേർന്നതും ദീർഘവും; വക്ഷസ്ഥലം അതിവിശാലവും ദീപ്തവുമായിരുന്നു.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses epic similes (pillar, bull) to convey steadiness, power, and commanding presence—qualities prized in kṣatriya ideals. Ethically, it underscores how war magnifies human attributes: strength and confidence become narratively prominent, even as they serve a destructive conflict.
Sañjaya is describing a warrior’s imposing physical and behavioral traits—shoulders, eyes, gait, and voice—along with strong arms and a broad chest, to emphasize his formidable readiness and the heightened tension of the battlefield scene.