Shloka 11
Omens in the Kuru Host and Droṇa’s Recognition of Arjuna (क्लीबवेषधारी पार्थ-परिज्ञानम्)
अर्जुनस्य किलासीस्त्वं सारथिर्दयित: पुरा । त्वयाजयत् सहायेन पृथिवीं पाण्डवर्षभ:,“पहले तुम अर्जुनका प्रिय सारथि रह चुकी हो। तुम्हारी सहायतासे उन पाण्डवशिरोमणिने समूची पृथ्वीपर विजय पायी है
arjunasya kilāsīstvaṃ sārathir dayitaḥ purā | tvayājayat sahāyena pṛthivīṃ pāṇḍavarṣabhaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Indeed, in former times you were Arjuna’s beloved charioteer. With your assistance, that bull among the Pāṇḍavas won victory over the whole earth.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical power of loyal service: a trusted aide (sārathi) can decisively enable a hero’s success. It also underscores how past deeds and relationships establish credibility and honor in the present.
Vaiśampāyana recalls a prior association: the addressed person had once been Arjuna’s dear charioteer, and with that support Arjuna (praised as the foremost Pāṇḍava) achieved wide conquest—framing current events through the prestige of earlier victories.