Mahabharata — Udyoga Parva, Shloka 50
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 123 — Bhīṣma–Droṇa–Vidura Upadeśa to Duryodhana
Keśava-vākya aftermath
अशक्ता: सर्व एवैते प्रतियोद्धुं धनंजयम् । “तात! तुम्हारे निकट जो यह समस्त राजाओंकी सेना एकत्र हुई है, यह तथा भीष्म, द्रोण, कर्ण, कृपाचार्य, सोमदत्तपुत्र भूरिश्रवा, अश्वत्थामा और जयद्रथ--ये सभी मिलकर भी अर्जुनका सामना करनेमें समर्थ नहीं हैं || ४८-४९ हू ।।
aśaktāḥ sarva evaite pratiyoddhuṃ dhanañjayam | ajeyo hārjunaḥ saṅkhye sarvair api surāsuraiḥ | mānuṣair api gandharvair yuddhe ced āhitaḥ |
Vaiśampāyana said: All these gathered warriors are incapable of standing against Dhanañjaya (Arjuna). In battle, Arjuna is unconquerable even by all the gods and asuras together; he is likewise invincible to humans and Gandharvas. Therefore, do not set your mind on war—do not pursue a conflict that cannot be won and will only multiply destruction.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage emphasizes prudent, dharmic counsel: do not initiate or persist in a war when the outcome is foreseeably disastrous and unjustifiable. Recognizing an opponent’s overwhelming strength is used to argue for restraint and avoidance of needless slaughter.
Vaiśaṃpāyana reports a warning that the assembled forces cannot successfully oppose Arjuna. Arjuna is described as invincible even to divine and semi-divine beings, and this assessment is used to discourage the decision to go to war.