Shloka 1
अर्जुन-माहात्म्य-चिन्ता
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Appraisal of Arjuna’s Strategic Supremacy
ऑपन--माज बक। जि द्विपञज्चाशत्तमो<ड ध्याय: धृतराष्ट्रद्वारा अर्जुनसे प्राप्त होनेवाले भयका वर्णन धृतराष्ट्र रवाच यस्य वै नानृता वाच: कदाचिदनुशुश्रुम । त्रैलोक्यमपि तस्य स्याद् योद्धा यस्य धनंजय:,धृतराष्ट्र बोले--संजय! जिनके मुँहसे कभी कोई झूठ बात निकलती हमने नहीं सुनी है तथा जिनके पक्षमें धनंजय-जैसे योद्धा हैं, उन धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरको (भूमण्डलका कौन कहे,) तीनों लोकोंका राज्य भी प्राप्त हो सकता है
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | yasya vai nānṛtā vācaḥ kadācid anuśuśruma | trailokyam api tasya syād yoḍdhā yasya dhanaṃjayaḥ ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “Sañjaya, we have never heard that falsehood ever issues from his mouth. And for the one on whose side stands a warrior like Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), even sovereignty over the three worlds could be his—what then to say of the earth.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
Truthfulness (satya) is presented as a foundational royal virtue that confers moral authority; when joined with righteous support and strength (Arjuna’s prowess), it makes even the highest sovereignty seem attainable.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra, speaking to Sañjaya, reflects on the formidable position of the Pāṇḍavas: Yudhiṣṭhira’s reputation for unwavering truth and Arjuna’s unmatched martial power together make their claim to rule appear overwhelming, intensifying Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s apprehension.