Shloka 41
Jarāsandha–Bhīma Niyuddha-prastāvaḥ
Commencement of the Regulated Duel
अथोपविविशु: सर्वे त्रयस्ते पुरुषर्षभा: । सम्प्रदीप्तास्त्रयो लक्ष्म्या महाध्वर इवाग्नय:,फिर वे सभी बैठ गये। वे तीनों पुरुषसिंह महान् यज्ञमें प्रजज्लित तीन अग्नियोंकी भाँति अपनी अपूर्व शोभासे उद्धासित हो रहे थे
athopaviviśuḥ sarve trayas te puruṣarṣabhāḥ | sampradīptās trayo lakṣmyā mahādhvara ivāgnayaḥ ||
Kemudian ketiga-tiganya—lelaki unggul bak lembu jantan di antara manusia—pun duduk. Menyala dengan seri, mereka bertiga bersinar laksana tiga api yang dinyalakan dalam upacara korban agung, pancaran mereka menandakan wibawa, kekuatan, dan beratnya saat itu di hadapan khalayak.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses sacrificial-fire imagery to frame worldly authority as something that should be luminous yet disciplined—like ritual fire: powerful, auspicious, and meant to uphold order rather than mere display.
Three eminent men take their seats, and the narrator highlights their extraordinary radiance and dignity by comparing them to three blazing fires in a grand sacrifice, signaling the gravity and ceremonial tone of the courtly setting.