Kṛṣṇa-vīrya-kathana
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s appraisal of Vāsudeva’s deeds
येषां च पुरुषव्याप्र: शार्ड्र्धन्चा व्यपाश्रय: । हितार्थी चापि पार्थानां कथं तेषां पराजय:,शार्ज््धनुष धारण करनेवाले पुरुषसिंह भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण जिनके आश्रय तथा हित चाहनेवाले हैं, उन कुन्तीकुमारोंकी पराजय कैसे हो सकती है?
yeṣāṃ ca puruṣavyāghraḥ śārṅgadhanuḥ vyapāśrayaḥ | hitārthī cāpi pārthānāṃ kathaṃ teṣāṃ parājayaḥ ||
वैशम्पायन उवाच—येषां पुरुषव्याघ्रः शार्ङ्गधन्वा जनार्दनः आश्रयश्च हितैषी च, तेषां पार्थानां कथं पराजयः स्यात्?
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse asserts that when righteous warriors are supported by a divinely wise protector who actively seeks their welfare (here, Kṛṣṇa), their cause gains an almost unassailable moral and strategic strength—suggesting that true refuge and right counsel are decisive in dharmic conflict.
In the Drona Parva’s war context, Vaiśampāyana emphasizes the Pāṇḍavas’ advantage: Kṛṣṇa—renowned as the wielder of the Śārṅga bow—stands as their shelter and well-wisher, making their defeat seem implausible despite the ferocity of battle.