Shloka 8
Vyāsa’s Consolation to Yudhiṣṭhira: Tapas, Kāla, and the Difficulty of Dāna (दान-तपस्-विवेकः)
दृष्टवा रथागतान् वीरान् पाण्डवांश्ष॒तुरो रणे । तांस्तु विभ्राजितान् दृष्टवा लोकपालानिवोद्यतान्
dṛṣṭvā rathāgatān vīrān pāṇḍavān caturo raṇe | tāṁs tu vibhrājitān dṛṣṭvā lokapālān ivodyatān ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśaṃpāyana: Nang makita ang apat na bayani ng Pāṇḍava na nakasakay sa mga karwahe sa larangan ng digmaan—at masdan silang nagliliwanag sa karangalan, handang kumilos na tila mismong mga Lokapāla, ang mga tagapangalaga ng mga daigdig—napuno ng pagkamangha at paggalang ang mga nakasaksi.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates disciplined, righteous martial readiness by likening the Pāṇḍavas to lokapālas—symbols of protection and order—implying that courage aligned with dharma can manifest as guardianship rather than mere aggression.
The narrator describes the sight of the four Pāṇḍavas in battle, mounted on chariots and shining with splendor, standing ready for action; their appearance inspires awe, as though cosmic guardians had taken the field.