Shloka 21
Duryodhana’s Post-Duel Lament and Instructions (भग्नसक्थस्य विलापः)
अस्मत्कृते त्वया कृष्ण वाच: सुपरुषा: श्रुता: । शस्त्राणां च निपाता वै वज्रस्पर्शोपमा रणे
asmatkṛte tvayā kṛṣṇa vācaḥ supuruṣāḥ śrutāḥ | śastrāṇāṃ ca nipātā vai vajrasparśopamā raṇe ||
वैशंपायन म्हणाले— हे कृष्णा! आमच्यासाठी तू अनेक बोचऱ्या, जखम करणाऱ्या वाणी ऐकल्या; आणि रणात वज्रस्पर्शासमान शस्त्रप्रहारही सहन केलेस. अशा रीतीने तू आपल्या पक्षाच्या धर्मरक्षणासाठी वाणीचे व देहाचे—दोन्ही दुःख स्वीकारलेस.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical endurance: a leader or protector may accept humiliation and bodily danger for the welfare of others. Kṛṣṇa’s willingness to bear harsh speech and violent blows exemplifies self-sacrifice in service of dharma and the community he supports.
Vaiśaṃpāyana recounts how Kṛṣṇa, for the sake of his allies, tolerated severe verbal abuse and withstood weapon-strikes in battle—described as ‘thunderbolt-like’ in their impact—emphasizing the intensity of the conflict and Kṛṣṇa’s steadfast support.