Shloka 40
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 72 — Bhīmasena’s counsel on conciliation and Duryodhana’s disposition
मनुष्यलोकक्षयकृत् सुघोरो नो चेदनुप्राप्त इहान्तकः स्यात् | शस्त्राणि यन्त्र कवचान् रथांश्व नागान् हयांश्व प्रतिपादयित्वा,यदि मनुष्यलोकका संहार करनेवाली अत्यन्त भयंकर मृत्यु इनको नहीं प्राप्त हुई होती, तो ऐसी बातें देखनेमें नहीं आतीं। अतः नरेन्द्र! आपके समस्त योद्धा युद्धके लिये दृढ़ निश्चय करके भाँति-भाँतिके शस्त्र, यन्त्र, कवच, रथ, हाथी और घोड़ोंको सुसज्जित कर लें तथा उन हाथियों, घोड़ों एवं रथोंपर सवार हो युद्ध करनेके निमित्त सदा तैयार रहें। इसके सिवा आपको युद्धोपयोगी जिन समस्त वस्तुओंका संग्रह करना है उन सबका भी आप संग्रह कर लीजिये
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | manuṣyalokakṣayakṛt sughoro no ced anuprāpta ihāntakaḥ syāt | śastrāṇi yantra-kavacān rathāśva-nāgān hayāṃś ca pratipādayitvā |
If this exceedingly dreadful Death—who brings destruction upon the world of men—had not already drawn near here, such preparations would not be seen. Therefore, O king, let all your warriors, firmly resolved for battle, duly equip the various weapons, engines, armor, chariots, elephants, and horses; let them mount those elephants, horses, and chariots and remain ever ready to fight. Moreover, gather in full whatever other supplies are required for the conduct of war.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames war-preparation as a sober recognition of mortality and political necessity: when ‘Death’ is near, a ruler must ensure disciplined readiness and adequate resources, while implying the grave ethical weight of conflict.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses a king (narēndra) and urges comprehensive military mobilization—arming troops, preparing war-machines, armor, chariots, elephants, and horses, and collecting all needed supplies—because the situation has reached a point where destructive conflict appears unavoidable.