Shloka 20
Śikhaṇḍin’s Transformation, Daśārṇa Verification, and Kubera’s Conditional Curse
Udyoga Parva 193
पुत्रो5स्याञ्जनपर्वा तु महाबलपराक्रम: । शैनेयश्व महाबाहु:ः सहायो रणकोविद:
putro ’syāñjanaparvā tu mahābala-parākramaḥ | śaineyaś ca mahābāhuḥ sahāyo raṇa-kovidaḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “His son, Añjanaparvā, endowed with great strength and heroic prowess, and Śaineya (Sātyaki) too—mighty-armed and skilled in the science of battle—stand as your allies.” In this counsel, Yudhiṣṭhira underscores the ethical necessity of prudent preparation: even when one’s cause is righteous, one must rely on capable protectors and disciplined martial support to prevent greater harm and uphold dharma in the coming conflict.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one stands on dharma, responsible leadership requires practical readiness—securing competent allies and expert defenders to minimize suffering and prevent adharma from prevailing through negligence.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Yudhiṣṭhira points out the presence of powerful supporters—Añjanaparvā and the battle-expert Śaineya (Sātyaki)—to reassure and strengthen the resolve of the side being addressed as preparations for conflict intensify.