Shloka 14
Jarāsandha-prastāvaḥ — Nīti-cintā ca Jarāsandhasya janma-vṛttāntaḥ
The Jarāsandha Prelude: Strategic Counsel and Birth Account
दैन्यं यथा बलवति तथा मोहो बलान्विते । तावुभौ नाशकौ हेतू राज्ञा त्याज्यौ जयार्थिना,बलवान पुरुषमें जैसे दीनताका होना बड़ा भारी दोष है, वैसे ही बलिष्ठ पुरुषमें मोहका होना भी महान् दुर्गुण है। दीनता और मोह दोनों विनाशके कारण हैं; अतः विजय चाहनेवाले राजाके लिये वे दोनों ही त्याज्य हैं
dainyaṃ yathā balavati tathā moho balānvite | tāv ubhau nāśakau hetū rājñā tyājyau jayārthinā ||
Just as cowardly dejection is a grave fault in one who possesses strength, so too is delusion a great vice in a mighty man. Both dejection and delusion become causes of ruin; therefore, a king who seeks victory should abandon them both.
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A leader, especially a king seeking victory, must reject two inner enemies—dejection (dainya) and delusion (moha). Strength without clarity is wasted, and power coupled with despair or confusion leads to ruin.
Arjuna is presented as speaking a counsel-like statement: he identifies dejection and delusion as destructive causes and frames them as qualities a victory-seeking ruler must abandon, emphasizing disciplined resolve and clear judgment in royal conduct.