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Shloka 48

Kṛṣṇa-vīrya-kathana

Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s appraisal of Vāsudeva’s deeds

वासुदेवसमं वीर्ये धनंजयसमं बले । तेजसा55दित्यसदृशं बृहस्पतिसमं मतौ,जिस वीरमें अर्जुनसे भी अधिक मात्रामें समस्त गुण मौजूद हैं, जिसमें अस्त्र, सत्य तथा ब्रह्मचर्य सदा प्रतिष्ठित हैं, जो पराक्रममें भगवान्‌ श्रीकृष्ण, बलमें अर्जुन, तेजमें सूर्य और बुद्धिमें बृहस्पतिके समान है, वह महामना अभिमन्यु जब मुँह फैलाये हुए कालके समान द्रोणाचार्यके सम्मुख जा रहा था, उस समय किन शूरवीरोंने उसे रोका था?

vaiśampāyana uvāca | vāsudevasamaṃ vīrye dhanañjayasamaṃ bale | tejasā ādityasadṛśaṃ bṛhaspatisamaṃ matau ||

वैशम्पायन उवाच— वासुदेवसमं वीर्ये धनञ्जयसमं बले, तेजसादित्यसदृशं बृहस्पतिसमं मतौ— स महामना अभिमन्युः व्यात्तानन इवान्तकः द्रोणायाभिमुखं यान्तं कैः शूरैः प्रतिषिद्धः?

वासुदेवसमम्equal to Vāsudeva
वासुदेवसमम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootवासुदेव-सम
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
वीर्येin valor/energy
वीर्ये:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootवीर्य
FormNeuter, Locative, Singular
धनंजयसमम्equal to Dhanañjaya (Arjuna)
धनंजयसमम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootधनंजय-सम
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
बलेin strength
बले:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootबल
FormNeuter, Locative, Singular
तेजसाby/with splendor
तेजसा:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootतेजस्
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Singular
आदित्यसदृशम्like the Sun (Āditya)
आदित्यसदृशम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootआदित्य-सदृश
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
बृहस्पतिसमम्equal to Bṛhaspati
बृहस्पतिसमम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootबृहस्पति-सम
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
मतौin intellect/understanding
मतौ:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootमति
FormFeminine, Locative, Singular

वैशम्पायन उवाच

V
Vaiśampāyana
V
Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa)
D
Dhanañjaya (Arjuna)
Ā
Āditya (Sun)
B
Bṛhaspati
A
Abhimanyu
D
Droṇācārya

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights the epic ideal of integrated excellence: valor (vīrya), strength (bala), radiance (tejas), and wise judgment (mati). It also frames heroism within dharma—true greatness is not only martial power but also disciplined character and discerning counsel, even amid the moral pressure of war.

The narrator praises Abhimanyu through a series of exalted comparisons and then poses a suspenseful question: as Abhimanyu advances toward Droṇa like Death itself, which warriors confronted him and managed to stop him.