Shloka 2
जनकस्य युद्धोपदेशः — Janaka’s Instruction on Steadfast Battle-Conduct
यज्ञोपवीती संग्रामे जनको मैथिलो यथा । योधानुद्धर्षयामास तन्निबोध युधिछिर,युधिष्ठिर! यज्ञोपवीतधारी मिथिलापति जनकने रणभूमिमें अपने योद्धाओंको जिस प्रकार उत्साहित किया था, वह सुनो
yajñopavītī saṅgrāme janako maithilo yathā | yodhān uddharṣayāmāsa tan nibodha yudhiṣṭhira ||
Bhīṣma said: “Listen, O Yudhiṣṭhira, to how Janaka, the king of Mithilā, wearing the sacred thread, stirred and heartened his warriors on the battlefield. I shall relate that example to you.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even one marked by Vedic restraint (yajñopavīta) may need to act decisively in war when duty requires; righteous leadership includes strengthening others’ resolve while remaining grounded in dharma.
Bhīṣma introduces an illustrative episode: he asks Yudhiṣṭhira to listen to how King Janaka of Mithilā, wearing the sacred thread, encouraged his warriors in battle—setting up a moral example about conduct and leadership in conflict.