Shloka 8
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
राक्षसापसदं हन्तुं स्वयमेव पितामह । त्वां समाश्रित्य दुर्धर्ष तन्मे कर्तु त्वमहसि
sañjaya uvāca | rākṣasāpasadaṁ hantuṁ svayam eva pitāmaha | tvāṁ samāśritya durdharṣa tan me kartu tvam arhasi | kathayāmāsa durdharṣo viniḥśvasya punaḥ punaḥ |
Sañjaya disse: “Ó Avô, eu mesmo desejo matar aquele vil pária entre os rākṣasas. Confiando em ti, ó invencível, deves ajudar-me a realizar isto.” Assim falou o difícil de subjugar Duryodhana, soltando repetidas vezes profundos suspiros—suas palavras eram movidas pela ferroada da humilhação e pelo desejo de restaurar sua posição na guerra com o apoio de Bhīṣma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how wounded pride and the urge to restore honor can drive a warrior toward vengeance, and how such impulses seek validation through authority (here, Bhīṣma). Ethically, it points to the danger of letting humiliation govern action, especially in war where dharma is already strained.
After suffering a setback at the hands of a rākṣasa warrior (understood in context as Ghaṭotkaca), Duryodhana approaches Bhīṣma, addresses him as ‘Grandfather,’ and asks for support to personally kill the rākṣasa. Sanjaya reports Duryodhana’s repeated sighs, signaling distress and agitation.