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
संजय म्हणाला—तो स्थिर स्तंभ किंवा महाबली वृषभासारखा दिसत होता; खांदे, नजर, चाल आणि स्वर त्या सामर्थ्याला साजेसे. भुजा पुष्ट, घट्ट व लांब, आणि वक्ष अत्यंत विस्तीर्ण व तेजस्वी होते।
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.