Shloka 8
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय १४१: कर्ण–कृष्णसंवादः, उत्पात-स्वप्न-लक्षणानि
Karna–Krishna Dialogue: Omens and Dream-Signs
यदा द्रक्ष्यसि संग्रामे कुन्तीपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम् । जपहोमसमायुक्तं स्वां रक्षन्तं महाचमूम्,जब जप और होममें लगे हुए कुन्तीपुत्र युधिष्ठिरको संग्राममें अपनी विशाल सेनाकी रक्षा करते तथा सूर्यके समान दुर्धर्ष होकर शत्रुसेनाको संतप्त करते देखोगे, उस समय तुम्हें सत्ययुग, त्रेता और द्वापरकी प्रतीति नहीं होगी
sañjaya uvāca | yadā drakṣyasi saṅgrāme kuntīputraṁ yudhiṣṭhiram | japahomasamāyuktaṁ svāṁ rakṣantaṁ mahācamūm ||
Sañjaya said: “When, on the battlefield, you behold Kuntī’s son Yudhiṣṭhira—steadfast in japa and sacrificial offerings, guarding his own vast host—then you will witness how inner discipline and sacred duty can stand within war itself, as a king protects his people while remaining anchored in righteousness.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata ideal that dharma is not abandoned in crisis: even amid war, a righteous king can remain grounded in sacred discipline (japa and homa) while fulfilling the protective duty of leadership.
Sañjaya describes to the listener what will be seen in the coming conflict: Yudhiṣṭhira, identified as Kuntī’s son, engaged in religious observances and simultaneously guarding his large army on the battlefield.