Shloka 3
अर्जुन-माहात्म्य-चिन्ता
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Appraisal of Arjuna’s Strategic Supremacy
मैं निरन्तर सोचने-विचारनेपर भी युद्धमें गाण्डीवधारी अर्जुनका ही सामना करनेवाले किसी ऐसे वीरको नहीं देखता, जो रथपर आरूढ़ हो उनके सम्मुख जा सके ।। अस्यत: कर्णिनालीकान् मार्गणान् हृदयच्छिद: । प्रत्येता न सम: कश्चिद् युधि गाण्डीवधन्चन:,जो हृदयको विदीर्ण कर देनेवाले कर्णी और नालीक आदि बाणोंकी निरन्तर वर्षा करते हैं, उन गाण्डीवधन्वा अर्जुनका युद्धमें सामना करनेवाला कोई भी समकक्ष योद्धा नहीं है
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | asyataḥ karṇinālīkān mārgaṇān hṛdayacchidaḥ | pratyetā na samaḥ kaścid yudhi gāṇḍīvadhanvanaḥ ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “Though I ponder without ceasing, I see no warrior in battle who can stand as an equal before Arjuna, the wielder of the Gāṇḍīva. When he pours forth an unbroken rain of heart-piercing arrows—barbed and needle-like shafts—there is none who can ride out in a chariot and meet him on the field on equal terms.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral weight of war: when a ruler recognizes overwhelming martial power on one side, prudence and responsibility demand serious reflection on the consequences of choosing conflict. Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s admission implicitly critiques avoidable war and points to the ethical duty of leadership to restrain violence when possible.
In Udyoga Parva, as war preparations intensify, Dhṛtarāṣṭra voices anxiety about the coming battle. He acknowledges Arjuna’s unmatched prowess with the Gāṇḍīva and doubts that any warrior can face him equally, underscoring the looming catastrophe for the Kauravas if war proceeds.