Shloka 8
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
राक्षसापसदं हन्तुं स्वयमेव पितामह । त्वां समाश्रित्य दुर्धर्ष तन्मे कर्तु त्वमहसि
sañjaya uvāca | rākṣasāpasadaṁ hantuṁ svayam eva pitāmaha | tvāṁ samāśritya durdharṣa tan me kartu tvam arhasi | kathayāmāsa durdharṣo viniḥśvasya punaḥ punaḥ |
三阇耶说道：“祖父啊，我要亲手诛杀那卑贱的罗刹孽种。倚仗于你——不可战胜者啊——你当助我成就此事。”那难以降伏的杜罗约陀那如此言说，仍一再长叹；其言辞由受辱之刺痛与欲凭毗湿摩之助在战争中重建声望的渴求所驱使。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how wounded pride and the urge to restore honor can drive a warrior toward vengeance, and how such impulses seek validation through authority (here, Bhīṣma). Ethically, it points to the danger of letting humiliation govern action, especially in war where dharma is already strained.
After suffering a setback at the hands of a rākṣasa warrior (understood in context as Ghaṭotkaca), Duryodhana approaches Bhīṣma, addresses him as ‘Grandfather,’ and asks for support to personally kill the rākṣasa. Sanjaya reports Duryodhana’s repeated sighs, signaling distress and agitation.