Shloka 49
Vāg-yuddha and Nimitta-darśana before the Gadāyuddha
Verbal Duel and Omens
शुशुभे राजमध्यस्थो नीलवासा: सितप्रभ: । नक्षत्रैरिव सम्पूर्णो वृतो नेशि निशाकर:,दुर्योधनकी यह बात सुनकर सब लोगोंने उसे स्वीकार कर लिया, फिर तो राजाओंका वह विशाल समूह वहाँ सब ओर बैठ गया। नरेशोंकी वह मण्डली आकाशमें सूर्यमण्डलके समान दिखायी दे रही थी। उन सबके बीचमें भगवान् श्रीकृष्णके बड़े भ्राता तेजस्वी महाबाहु बलरामजी विराजमान हुए। महाराज! सब ओरसे सम्मानित होते हुए नीलाम्बरधारी, गौरकान्ति बलभद्रजी राजाओंके बीचमें वैसे ही शोभा पा रहे थे, जैसे रात्रिमें नक्षत्रोंसे घिरे हुए पूर्ण चन्द्रमा सुशोभित होते हैं
śuśubhe rājamadhyastho nīlavāsāḥ sitaprabhaḥ | nakṣatrair iva sampūrṇo vṛto neśi niśākaraḥ ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: “Sa gitna ng mga hari, si Baladeva na maningning—nakadamit bughaw at kumikislap sa puting liwanag—ay lubhang marilag. Napalilibutan ng nagkatipong mga pinuno, siya’y gaya ng kabilugang buwan sa gabi na napapaligiran ng mga bituin.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how genuine greatness and inner authority naturally become the center of attention even in a gathering of powerful rulers. The moon-and-stars simile suggests that moral and spiritual stature can outshine mere political rank, inviting reflection on leadership grounded in restraint and dignity.
Sañjaya describes the royal assembly after the kings have taken their seats. In their midst sits Baladeva (Balarāma), Krishna’s elder brother, whose presence is portrayed as luminous and preeminent—like the full moon surrounded by stars—emphasizing his honored position among the gathered monarchs.