Shloka 8
Jarāsandha-prastāvaḥ — Nīti-cintā ca Jarāsandhasya janma-vṛttāntaḥ
The Jarāsandha Prelude: Strategic Counsel and Birth Account
कुले जन्म प्रशंसन्ति वैद्या: साधु सुनिष्ठिता: । बलेन सदृशं नास्ति वीर्य तु मम रोचते,अनुभवी दिद्वान् उत्तम कुलमें जन्मकी बड़ी प्रशंसा करते हैं; परंतु बलके समान वह भी नहीं है। मुझे तो बल-पराक्रम ही श्रेष्ठ जान पड़ता है
kule janma praśaṃsanti vaidyāḥ sādhu suniṣṭhitāḥ | balena sadṛśaṃ nāsti vīryaṃ tu mama rocate ||
Arjuna sprach: Die Gelehrten, die fest in rechter Lebensführung stehen, preisen die Geburt in edler Abstammung. Doch nichts kommt der Stärke gleich. Mir hingegen sind Tapferkeit und Heldenkraft das Liebste.
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts inherited status (noble birth) with personal capability (strength/valor), asserting that ethical worth and effectiveness—especially for a warrior—are grounded more in demonstrated prowess than in lineage alone.
In the Sabha Parva context, Arjuna voices a value-judgment: while society’s wise may commend high birth, he personally prioritizes strength and heroic energy as the decisive qualities in action and reputation.