Shloka 1
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 42 — Duryodhana’s counsel to Bhīṣma on ajñātavāsa risk and raid strategy
८-० #++० (0) अत हा द्विचत्वारिशोड ध्याय: उत्तरका बृहन्नलासे पाण्डवोंके अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंके विषयमें प्रश्न करना उत्तर उवाच बिन्दवो जातरूपस्य शतं यस्मिन् निपातिता: । सहस्रकोटिसौवर्णा: कस्यैतद् धनुरुत्तमम्
uttara uvāca | bindavo jātarūpasya śataṁ yasmin nipātitāḥ | sahasrakoṭisauvarṇāḥ kasyaitad dhanur uttamam ||
Uttara sprach: „Auf diesem vortrefflichen Bogen sind hundert Tropfen geschmolzenen Goldes eingesetzt. Er ist mit Gold im Werte von Tausenden von Koṭis geschmückt—wem gehört dieser erhabene Bogen?“
उत्तर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights discernment and respectful inquiry: Uttara recognizes extraordinary craftsmanship and value, prompting him to ask about rightful ownership—an ethical impulse to know provenance before use, especially regarding weapons.
In Virāṭa Parva, Uttara (the prince) notices a magnificent, gold-adorned bow and questions whose weapon it is—setting up the revelation and use of the Pāṇḍavas’ concealed arms in the ensuing conflict.