Shloka 4

Arjuna Vishada Yoga — The Yoga of Arjuna's Despondency

Devanagari script

अत्र शूरा महेष्वासा भीमार्जुनसमा युधि । युयुधानो विराटश्च द्रुपदश्च महारथः ॥

Transliteration

atra śūrā maheṣvāsā bhīmārjunasamā yudhi | yuyudhāno virāṭaś ca drupadaś ca mahārathaḥ ||

Translation

Here are heroes, great bowmen, equal in battle to Bhīma and Arjuna: Yuyudhāna, and Virāṭa, and Drupada—the great chariot-warrior.

Gita Press Meaning

Here are heroes, mighty archers, equal in battle to Bhīma and Arjuna: Yuyudhāna, Virāṭa, and Drupada, the great chariot-warrior.

Critical Edition Meaning

Here are brave men, great bowmen, comparable in combat to Bhīma and Arjuna: Yuyudhāna, Virāṭa, and Drupada, a great chariot-fighter.

Comparative Note

‘mahāratha’ is a traditional military epithet; translations vary (‘great charioteer’, ‘great warrior’). The verse is a formal enumeration rather than a narrative of violence.

Word by Word

• अत्र: here
• अत्र: Adhikarana
• Root: अत्र

• शूराः: heroes, valiant men
• शूराः: Karta
• Root: शूर

• महेष्वासाः: great bowmen (those whose bow is great)
• महेष्वासाः: Karta
• Root: महेष्वास

• भीम: Bhima
• भीम: Karta
• Root: भीम

• अर्जुन: Arjuna
• अर्जुन: Karta
• Root: अर्जुन

• समाः: equal (to)
• समाः: Karta
• Root: सम

• युधि: in battle
• युधि: Adhikarana
• Root: युध्

• युयुधानः: Yuyudhana (Satyaki)
• युयुधानः: Karta
• Root: युयुधान

• विराटः: Virata
• विराटः: Karta
• Root: विराट

• च: and
• Root: च

• द्रुपदः: Drupada
• द्रुपदः: Karta
• Root: द्रुपद

• च: and
• Root: च

• महारथः: a great chariot-warrior
• महारथः: Karta
• Root: महारथ

Speakers

• Duryodhana
• Droṇa

Primary Concepts

• Vīrya (valor as cultivated excellence)
• Guṇa (qualities expressed in action)
• Kṣatriya-dharma (role-ethics of governance and protection)

Key Themes

• Assessment of capabilities
• Honor-culture and role duty
• Conflict as structured contest (also readable as inner struggle)

FAQs

Psychological significance?

Listing notable figures functions as cognitive mapping: naming strengths and comparing them to known standards (Bhīma/Arjuna) organizes fear and strategy.

Metaphysical meaning?

The verse can be read as a reminder that human qualities (guṇas) manifest in diverse forms; excellence itself is ethically neutral and must be guided by discernment.

Contextual relevance?

It continues Duryodhana’s description of the opposing leadership, emphasizing that the Pāṇḍava side has multiple capable allies.

Modern Application?

In nonviolent competition (academia, careers), people often benchmark opponents. The verse suggests doing so soberly—without panic—so planning remains realistic.