Shloka 51
एको हापि बहून् हन्ति घ्नन्त्येकं बहवो<प्युत । शूरं कापुरुषो हन्ति अयशस्वी यशस्विनम्,युद्धमें एक योद्धा भी बहुत-से सैनिकोंका संहार कर डालता है तथा बहुत-से योद्धा मिलकर भी किसी एकको ही मार पाते हैं। कभी कायर शूरवीरको मार देता है और अयशस्वी पुरुष यशस्वी वीरको पराजित कर देता है
eko hi api bahūn hanti ghnanty ekaṃ bahavo 'py uta | śūraṃ kāpuruṣo hanti ayaśasvī yaśasvinam ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “At times a single warrior can cut down many, while at other times many together can scarcely bring down one. It even happens that a coward kills a hero, and a man without fame overcomes one who is renowned. In war, outcomes do not always follow merit or reputation; therefore one must judge with restraint and act with dharma rather than pride.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
War does not reliably reward merit, bravery, or reputation; even the famed can fall to the obscure. Therefore one should avoid arrogance, remain cautious in judgment, and ground decisions in dharma rather than in assumptions about strength or fame.
In Udyoga Parva, as the conflict approaches, Yudhiṣṭhira reflects on the unpredictability of battle—how numbers, heroism, and renown do not guarantee victory—framing a sober, ethical perspective amid preparations for war.