Mahabharata 7.11.38 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 11, Shloka 38
Droṇa’s Conditional Boon: The Plan to Capture Yudhiṣṭhira (द्रोणेन युधिष्ठिरग्रहणोपायः)
अर्जुन: केशवस्यात्मा कृष्णो5प्यात्मा किरीटिन: । अर्जुने विजयो नित्यं कृष्णे कीर्तिश्व शाश्वती
arjunaḥ keśavasyātmā kṛṣṇo 'py ātmā kirīṭinaḥ | arjune vijayo nityaṃ kṛṣṇe kīrtiś ca śāśvatī ||
অর্জুন যেন কেশবেরই আত্মা, আর কৃষ্ণও যেন মুকুটধারী অর্জুনেরই আত্মা। অর্জুনে বিজয় চিরস্থায়ী; কৃষ্ণে কীর্তি অক্ষয় ও শাশ্বত।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches the inseparability of Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa in purpose and spirit: steadfast victory is associated with Arjuna’s prowess, while enduring fame is associated with Kṛṣṇa’s divine stature. Ethically, it implies that when human effort aligns with righteous guidance, success and lasting honor follow.
In the Drona Parva’s battle context, Vaiśaṃpāyana highlights the exceptional bond between Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa (his charioteer and guide). The line functions as a narrative assurance: their unity makes Arjuna’s triumph reliable and Kṛṣṇa’s renown ever-increasing amid the war’s decisive events.
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