Shloka 8
Arjuna’s Absence, Bhīma’s Kṣātra-Dharma Appeal, and Bṛhadaśva’s Arrival
Nala-Upākhyāna Begins
महेश्वरेण यो राजन् न जीर्णों हाष्टमूर्तिना । कस्तमुत्सहते वीरो युद्धे जरयितुं पुमान्,राजन! अष्टमूर्ति- भगवान् महेश्वर भी जिसे युद्धमें पराजित न कर सके, उन्हीं वीरवर अर्जुनको दूसरा कौन वीर पुरुष जीतनेका साहस कर सकता है
maheśvareṇa yo rājan na jīrṇo hy aṣṭamūrtinā | kas tam utsahate vīro yuddhe jarayituṃ pumān rājan ||
సంజయుడు అన్నాడు—రాజా! అష్టమూర్తి మహేశ్వరుడే యుద్ధంలో జయించలేని ఆ వీరశ్రేష్ఠుణ్ని మరెవడు యుద్ధంలో ఓడించగలనని ధైర్యం చేయగలడు?
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that genuine martial excellence is validated by the highest standards—here, even a divine test—so arrogance is misplaced. It also implies an ethical restraint: one should recognize proven merit and avoid reckless hostility driven by pride.
Sañjaya addresses the king and emphasizes Arjuna’s extraordinary strength by recalling that even Maheśvara in his eightfold form could not subdue him; therefore, no ordinary warrior should presume to defeat Arjuna in battle.