Shloka 116
Kirmīra-rākṣasa-saṃgamaḥ (Encounter and Slaying of Kirmīra) | किर्मीरेण सह भीमसेनसमागमः
एवं सुयुद्धे पार्थेन जिताहं मधुसूदन । स्वयंवरे महत् कर्म कृत्वा न सुकरं परै:,मधुसूदन! स्वयंवरमें, जो महान् कर्म दूसरोंके लिये दुष्कर था, वह करके भारी युद्धमें भी अर्जुनने मुझे जीत लिया था
evaṁ suyuddhe pārthena jitāhaṁ madhusūdana | svayaṁvare mahat karma kṛtvā na sukaraṁ paraiḥ ||
Ó Madhusūdana, numa batalha feroz fui derrotado por Pārtha. E antes disso, no svayaṃvara, ele realizou um grande feito—não fácil para outros. Assim, por valor e determinação, Arjuna mostrou-se superior.
राक्षस उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical weight of proven excellence: true renown rests on demonstrated capability—both in public trials (svayaṃvara) and in direct confrontation (battle). It also reflects the warrior ethos where honor is acknowledged even by an adversary.
A Rākṣasa addresses Kṛṣṇa (Madhusūdana), recalling that Arjuna (Pārtha) defeated him in a fierce fight and had earlier performed an extraordinary feat at a svayaṃvara—something difficult for others—thereby affirming Arjuna’s superior valor.