Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 103 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Gāndhārī Vivāha: Proposal, Consent, and the Vow
सारथिं चाब्रवीत् क्रुद्धों याहि यत्रैष पार्थिव: । यावदेनं निहन्म्यद्य भुजड़मिव पक्षिराट्,फिर सारथिसे कहा--“जहाँ यह राजा शाल्व है, उधर ही रथ ले चलो। जैसे पशक्षिराज गरुड सर्पको दबोच लेते हैं, उसी प्रकार मैं इसे अभी मार डालता हूँ
sārathiṃ cābravīt kruddho yāhi yatraiṣa pārthivaḥ | yāvad enaṃ nihany adya bhujaṅgam iva pakṣirāṭ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Sa galit, sinabi niya sa kanyang tagapagmaneho ng karwahe, “Dalhin mo ang karwahe sa kinaroroonan ng haring iyon. Ngayon ay pababagsakin ko siya—gaya ng panginoon ng mga ibon na dumadagit sa ahas.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights how anger can sharpen intent in conflict, yet it also implies a warrior’s ethic: force is directed toward a specific adversary perceived as a present danger. It invites reflection on restraint and responsibility even when one feels justified in battle.
The speaker (as narrated by Vaiśampāyana) describes a warrior, furious, ordering his charioteer to drive toward the enemy king (Śālva). He vows to kill him immediately, using the simile of Garuḍa overpowering a serpent to convey decisive dominance.