Shloka 18
Dambhodbhava, Nara-Nārāyaṇa, and the Counsel to Abandon Hubris
Udyoga-parva 94
नहिवत्वां पाण्डवैर्जेतुं रक्ष्यमाणं महात्मभि: । इन्द्रोडपि देवैः सहित: प्रसहेत कुतो नृप:,महात्मा पाण्डवोंसे सुरक्षित होनेपर आपको देवताओंसहित इन्द्र भी नहीं जीत सकते, फिर दूसरे किसी राजाकी तो बात ही क्या है?
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: na hi tvāṃ Pāṇḍavair jetuṃ rakṣyamāṇaṃ mahātmabhiḥ | Indro 'pi devaiḥ sahitaḥ prasahēt kuto nṛpaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “If you are protected by the great-souled Pāṇḍavas, then truly no one can conquer you. Even Indra, though accompanied by the gods, would be unable to overpower you—how much less, then, any mortal king.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that steadfast protection by noble and powerful allies makes conquest impossible; it highlights the ethical and strategic value of righteous association and the deterrent force of united strength.
Vaiśampāyana emphasizes to the addressed person that, being guarded by the great-souled Pāṇḍavas, they are beyond the reach of defeat—so formidable that even Indra with the gods could not subdue them, much less any human king.