Shloka 10
Adhyāya 8: Saṃprahāra-varṇana and Bhīma–Kṣemadhūrti Dvipa-Yuddha
Combat Description and Elephant Duel
धृतराष्ट्र रवाच संजयाधिरथिरीर: सिंहद्विरदविक्रम: । वृषभप्रतिमस्कन्धो वृषभाक्षगतिश्नचरन्
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca sañjaya adhirathīraḥ siṃha-dvirada-vikramaḥ | vṛṣabha-pratima-skandho vṛṣabhākṣa-gatiś caran ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra berkata: “Sañjaya, Karṇa—putera gagah Adhiratha—bergerak di medan perang dengan keperkasaan laksana singa dan gajah. Bahunya seperti bahu lembu jantan; matanya dan langkahnya juga seumpama lembu jantan. Kerana kemurahan hatinya yang mencurah seperti hujan, dia pun disifatkan sebagai ‘vṛṣabha’—lembu jantan. Di tengah denting senjata, walau berhadapan musuh setanding Indra, dia tidak pernah berundur dari pertempuran. Dia masih muda, dan tubuhnya teguh seolah-olah ditempa daripada vajra.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the kṣatriya ideal of steadfast courage: a warrior should not retreat when duty calls, even before a formidable opponent. It also frames martial excellence through controlled strength and reputation—valor joined to an identity shaped by generosity and resolve.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra addresses Sañjaya and asks/reflects upon Karṇa’s qualities. He describes Karṇa’s physical power and battlefield bearing through animal similes (lion, elephant, bull), emphasizing his fearlessness and unyielding presence in combat.