Shloka 25
देवसत्रे मृत्युनिरोधः, पूर्वेन्द्राणां मानुषावतरणम्, द्रौपदी-वरकथनम्
Suspension of Death at the Devasatra; Former Indras’ Human Descent; Draupadī’s Boon Etiology
मुष्टिभिर्जानुभिश्वैव निघ्नन्तावितरेतरम् । प्रकर्षणाकर्षणयोरभ्याकर्षविकर्षणै:
muṣṭibhir jānubhiś caiva nighnantāv itaretaram | prakarṣaṇākarṣaṇayor abhyākarṣa-vikarṣaṇaiḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Nagpapalitan sila ng suntok at tuhod, at nagbubuno nang dikit-dikit. Sa labanan ng hila at tulak, salit-salitan nilang hinihila palapit at itinutulak palayo ang isa’t isa—bawat isa’y naghahangad na mawalan ng balanse ang kalaban at mapabagsak ito.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the raw mechanics of violent rivalry—mutual striking and grappling—implicitly inviting reflection on restraint and dharma: physical power without ethical governance becomes mere domination.
Two combatants are locked in a close fight, hitting with fists and knees while alternately pulling each other in, pushing away, and trying to throw the other down through grappling maneuvers.