Shloka 11
Jarā’s Account and the Enthronement of Jarāsandha (जरासंधोत्पत्तिः अभिषेकश्च)
युधिछिर उवाच कृष्ण को<यं जरासंध: किंवीर्य: किम्पराक्रम: । यस्त्वां स्पृष्टवाग्निसदृशं न दग्ध: शलभो यथा
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca—kṛṣṇa ko ’yaṃ jarāsandhaḥ? kiṃ-vīryaḥ? kiṃ-parākramaḥ? yaḥ tvāṃ spṛṣṭvā agni-sadṛśaṃ na dagdhaḥ śalabho yathā.
Yudhiṣṭhira sprach: „Kṛṣṇa, wer ist dieser Jarāsandha? Wie groß sind seine Kraft und seine Tapferkeit? Denn obwohl er dich berührt hat — dich, der einem lodernden Feuer gleicht — ist er nicht wie eine Motte zu Asche verbrannt.“
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent kingship: before undertaking a political or military course, a ruler should inquire into an opponent’s identity, resources, and capability. It also underscores discernment—recognizing that even near the ‘fire’ of a great power, some adversaries may not be easily subdued.
In the Sabha Parva context, Yudhiṣṭhira questions Kṛṣṇa about Jarāsandha—his background and martial capacity—marveling that Jarāsandha has confronted Kṛṣṇa (likened to blazing fire) without being destroyed like a moth.