Shloka 2
Jarāsandha–Vāsudeva Saṃvāda: Kṣātra-Dharma, Pride, and the Ethics of Coercion
Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 20
न शक््यो<सौ रणे जेतुं सर्वैरपि सुरासुरै: । बाहुयुद्धेन जेतव्य: स इत्युपलभामहे,युद्धमें तो सम्पूर्ण देवता और असुर भी उसे जीत नहीं सकते, अतः मेरी समझमें यही आता है कि उसे बाहुयुद्धके द्वारा जीतना चाहिये
na śakyo 'sau raṇe jetuṁ sarvair api surāsuraiḥ | bāhuyuddhena jetavyaḥ sa ity upalabhāmahe ||
Vāyu sprach: „In offener Schlacht ist er nicht zu besiegen, selbst wenn alle Götter und Asuras gemeinsam anträten. Darum, wie ich es verstehe, muss man ihn im Nahkampf, in einem Kräftemessen von Hand zu Hand, überwinden — nicht mit den gewöhnlichen Mitteln des Krieges.“
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
When ordinary force proves ineffective, one should discern the opponent’s true vulnerability and choose a fitting method—here, not mass warfare but a direct test of bodily strength. The verse highlights strategic discernment and proportional means rather than indiscriminate escalation.
Vāyu offers counsel about an exceptionally formidable figure: he is said to be unconquerable in conventional battle even by combined divine and asuric forces. Vāyu therefore recommends defeating him through bāhuyuddha—close, hand-to-hand combat—implying that this mode alone offers a realistic path to victory.