Shloka 48
Samrāt-Lakṣaṇa and the Counsel to Check Jarāsandha (सम्राट्-लक्षणं जरासन्ध-प्रतिबाधा-परामर्शः)
पृथक्त्वेन महाराज संक्षिप्य महतीं श्रियम्
pṛthaktvena mahārāja saṃkṣipya mahatīṃ śriyam | rājan! tadā vayam evaṃ niścayaṃ kṛtavantaḥ— ‘iha sthitāṃ vipulāṃ sampattiṃ pṛthak-pṛthag vibhajya stokāṃ stokāṃ kṛtvā putraiś ca bhrātṛ-bandhubhiḥ saha śatrubhayād apasarpāmaḥ’ iti | evaṃ matvā vayaṃ sarve paścima-diśaṃ śaraṇaṃ gatāḥ ||
O great king, after compressing our vast prosperity into portable portions, we resolved as follows: ‘Let us divide the great wealth here into separate shares, reduce it into small allotments, and—together with our sons and kinsmen—flee for fear of the enemy.’ Having formed this judgment, we all sought refuge by moving toward the western direction.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
When danger threatens, dharma can require prudent restraint: reduce attachment to wealth, prioritize the safety of dependents, and choose a strategic retreat rather than reckless confrontation. The ethical emphasis is on protecting life and kin through measured, realistic decision-making.
Śrī Kṛṣṇa describes a collective decision made under threat: they divide and pack their large wealth into smaller shares, gather sons and relatives, and move away—seeking refuge toward the western direction due to fear of an enemy.