Shloka 8
Vyāsa’s Consolation to Yudhiṣṭhira: Tapas, Kāla, and the Difficulty of Dāna (दान-तपस्-विवेकः)
दृष्टवा रथागतान् वीरान् पाण्डवांश्ष॒तुरो रणे । तांस्तु विभ्राजितान् दृष्टवा लोकपालानिवोद्यतान्
dṛṣṭvā rathāgatān vīrān pāṇḍavān caturo raṇe | tāṁs tu vibhrājitān dṛṣṭvā lokapālān ivodyatān ||
Вайшампаяна сказал: Увидев на поле брани четырёх героев Пандавов, стоящих на колесницах, и узрев, как они сияют великолепием, готовые к действию, подобно самим Локапалам — хранителям миров, — зрители были объяты благоговейным изумлением.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates disciplined, righteous martial readiness by likening the Pāṇḍavas to lokapālas—symbols of protection and order—implying that courage aligned with dharma can manifest as guardianship rather than mere aggression.
The narrator describes the sight of the four Pāṇḍavas in battle, mounted on chariots and shining with splendor, standing ready for action; their appearance inspires awe, as though cosmic guardians had taken the field.