Shloka 24
Śaṅkha–Likhita Upākhyāna: Daṇḍa, Confession, and the Purification of Kingship (शङ्ख-लिखितोपाख्यानम्)
शत्रून् हत्वा हतस्याजौ शूरस्याक्लिष्टकर्मण: । असहायस्य संग्रामे निर्जितस्य युधिष्ठिर
śatrūn hatvā hatasyājau śūrasya akliṣṭa-karmaṇaḥ | asahāyasya saṅgrāme nirjitasya yudhiṣṭhira ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: „O Yudhiṣṭhira, jener Held—dessen Taten sich ohne Mühsal vollendeten—hatte seine Feinde in der Schlacht erschlagen. Doch später, als er ohne Beistand war, wurde er im Kampf überwältigt, besiegt und vom Feind getötet.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a powerful and capable warrior can fall when deprived of support; strength and merit alone do not guarantee victory. In the context of rājadharma, the verse underscores the practical and ethical importance of alliances, protection of one’s dependents, and not leaving a capable person isolated in crisis.
Vaiśampāyana addresses Yudhiṣṭhira, describing a heroic fighter who had earlier slain enemies but later, becoming ‘asahāya’ (without allies/support), was defeated in battle and killed by opponents—an illustrative example within the Shānti Parva’s instruction on governance and conduct.