Shloka 5
Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 77 — Saindhava resistance, Arjuna’s restraint, and Duḥśalā’s supplication
ततस्ते त॑ं महावीर्या राजान: पर्यवारयन् । जिगीषन्तो नरव्याप्रं पूर्व विनिकृता युधि
tataste taṁ mahāvīryā rājānaḥ paryavārayan | jigīṣanto naravyāghraṁ pūrvaṁ vinikṛtā yudhi ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Pagkaraan, pinalibutan siya ng mga haring may dakilang tapang. Sabik na madaig ang tigre sa hanay ng mga tao, sila—na minsan nang napahiya sa digmaan—ay ngayo’y muling nagnanais na mapabagsak siya, udyok ng sugatang pagmamataas at ng gutom sa tagumpay ng mandirigma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring ethical tension in kṣatriya life: the pursuit of victory can be fueled not only by duty but also by wounded pride and the desire to erase past humiliation. It implicitly cautions that martial zeal (jigīṣā) often arises from ego as much as from dharma.
A group of powerful kings encircle the central hero (called ‘tiger among men’). Having been defeated earlier in battle, they now unite and attempt to overpower him, seeking a reversal of their former loss.