Shloka 45
यथा च केशवो नित्यं पाण्डवानां परायणम् | तथा त्वमपि वार्ष्णेय कृष्णतुल्यपराक्रम:,वार्ष्णेय! जैसे भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण सदा पाण्डवोंके परम आश्रय हैं, उसी प्रकार तुम भी हो। तुम्हारा पराक्रम भी श्रीकृष्णके समान ही है
yathā ca keśavo nityaṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ parāyaṇam | tathā tvam api vārṣṇeya kṛṣṇatulyaparākramaḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Just as Keśava (Śrī Kṛṣṇa) is ever the supreme refuge and final reliance of the Pāṇḍavas, so too are you, O Vārṣṇeya. Your prowess is equal to Kṛṣṇa’s.”
युधिष्ठिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and emotional foundation of righteous struggle: dharmic warriors rely not only on arms but on a trusted protector and guide. Calling Kṛṣṇa the Pāṇḍavas’ “parāyaṇa” underscores surrender to wise counsel and steadfast support; equating another ally’s valor to Kṛṣṇa’s affirms confidence, unity, and morale in a crisis.
In the midst of the Drona Parva’s intense battlefield developments, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses a Vṛṣṇi hero (Vārṣṇeya), praising him by comparing his protective role and prowess to that of Kṛṣṇa, the Pāṇḍavas’ constant refuge. The statement functions as reassurance and honor toward an ally at a critical moment in the war.