Shloka 8
Śalya’s Consecration as Senāpati and Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira (शल्यस्य सेनापत्यभिषेकः)
स्वज्रं प्रच्छन्नशिरसं कम्बुग्रीवं प्रियंवदम् । व्याकोशपपक्राक्षं व्याप्रास्यं मेरुगौरवम्
svajaṃraṃ pracchannaśirasaṃ kambugrīvaṃ priyaṃvadam | vyākośapapakrakṣaṃ vyāprāsyaṃ merugauravam
三阇耶说道：“（他看见）一人头部被遮覆，颈项如海螺般优美，言辞悦耳；双目大张而躁动不宁，口张如在凶猛用力之际——其分量与威严，宛如须弥山。”在战争叙事中，这种被强化的形貌描写是一种伦理性的提示：它凸显此人可怖而强大的临场气势及其所激起的战栗，提醒听者：外在的威势与恐惧本就是战场道德压力的一部分；在压倒性的力量面前，辨识与镇定将受到考验。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how the battlefield magnifies appearances—majesty, terror, and auspicious bodily marks—testing inner steadiness. Ethical discernment (dharma-buddhi) must not be overwhelmed by mere outward power or fearsome spectacle.
Sañjaya is describing a formidable figure seen in the war context, detailing physical traits—covered head, conch-like neck, pleasing speech, wide eyes, gaping mouth—and likening the person’s gravity and grandeur to Mount Meru.