Shloka 4
Adhyāya 86: Irāvān’s Lineage, Cavalry Clash, and the Māyā-Duel Ending in Irāvān’s Fall
संजय उवाच यथाशक्ति यथोत्साहं युद्धे चेष्टन्ति तावका: । दर्शयाना: परं शक््त्या पौरुषं पुरुषर्षभ
sañjaya uvāca yathāśakti yathotsāhaṃ yuddhe ceṣṭanti tāvakāḥ | darśayānāḥ paraṃ śaktyā pauruṣaṃ puruṣarṣabha ||
Sañjaya sprach: „O Stier unter den Männern, auch deine eigenen Söhne mühen sich in der Schlacht nach ihrer Kraft und nach ihrem Eifer; sie setzen alles bis zum Äußersten ein und zeigen ihre Tapferkeit mit der ganzen Macht, die sie aufzubringen vermögen.“
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined exertion: warriors act in proportion to their capacity and zeal, yet are urged to manifest their utmost valor. Ethically, it reflects the battlefield ideal of kṣatriya effort—doing one’s best within one’s limits—without yet judging the justice of the cause.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra about the Kaurava side: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons and allies are actively striving in the war, attempting to gain success and demonstrating courage with all the strength they possess.