Shloka 41
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 103 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Gāndhārī Vivāha: Proposal, Consent, and the Vow
तौ वृषाविव नर्दन्तौ बलिनौ वासितान्तरे । अन्योन्यमभ्यवर्तेतां बलविक्रमशालिनौ,ये दोनों बलवान् वीर मैथुनकी इच्छावाली गौके लिये आपसमें लड़नेवाले दो साँड़ोंकी तरह हुंकार करते हुए एक-दूसरेसे भिड़ गये। दोनों ही बल और पराक्रमसे सुशोभित थे
tau vṛṣāv iva nardantau balinau vāsitāntare | anyonyam abhyavartetāṃ balavikramaśālinau ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Ang dalawang makapangyarihan, umuungal na parang magkaribal na toro sa gitna ng kawan, ay sumugod sa isa’t isa. Kapwa sila nababalutan ng lakas at kagitingan, at ang kanilang banggaan ay gaya ng mga torong nag-aagawan sa kapareha—larawang nagpapakita kung paanong ang hilaw na pagnanasa at tunggalian ay nakapagtutulak maging sa malalakas na lalaki tungo sa karahasan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the bull-simile to highlight how rivalry fueled by desire can reduce even the strong and heroic to instinct-driven violence; it implicitly warns that unchecked impulses (kāma and competitive pride) can overpower discernment and dharma.
Vaiśampāyana describes two powerful opponents charging at each other, roaring like two bulls contending within a herd—an emphatic depiction of their mutual aggression and matched strength.