Shloka 10
Udyoga Parva Adhyāya 132 — Vidura’s Counsel on Udyama, Yaśas, and Kṣātra-Dharma
अप्यहेरारुजन् दंष्टामाश्वेव निधनं व्रज । अपि वा संशयं प्राप्प जीविते5पि पराक्रमे:
apy aher ārujan daṁṣṭrām āśv eva nidhanaṁ vraja | api vā saṁśayaṁ prāpya jīvite ’pi parākrame ||
Vāyu said: “Even if, by breaking the serpent’s fangs, you must at once meet death—go forward. And even if your very life becomes doubtful, still display your valor in the struggle. When the enemy is like a snake, do not shrink back; choose courageous action over fearful survival.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should uphold dharma through fearless effort: even when death is likely, a righteous warrior must show parākrama (heroic resolve) rather than retreat in fear.
Vāyu exhorts the listener to confront a dangerous, snake-like enemy decisively—breaking the ‘fangs’ (power to harm) even if it costs one’s life—urging steadfast valor amid uncertainty.