Shloka 13
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 42 — Duryodhana’s counsel to Bhīṣma on ajñātavāsa risk and raid strategy
कस्य हेमत्सरुददिव्य: खड्ग: परमनिर्मलः । जो बाघके चमड़ेकी बनी हुई म्यानके भीतर रखा गया है, जो सुवर्णचित्रित और शत्रुओंके लिये असहा है, जिसका अग्रभाग भी बहुत ही सुन्दर है, जिसकी म्यानपर चित्रकारी की हुई है, जो घुँघरूदार और विशाल है, वह सोनेकी मूठवाला दिव्य एवं अत्यन्त निर्मल खड्ग किसका है? ।।
kasya hema-tsarur divyaḥ khaḍgaḥ parama-nirmalaḥ | yo vyāghra-carma-kṛte kośe nihitaḥ suvarṇa-citritaḥ śatrūṇāṃ cāsahaḥ | yasya cāgra-bhāgo 'pi bahu-śobhanaḥ kośe ca citra-kṛtaḥ | sa ghaṅghuravān vipulaḥ suvarṇa-muṭhā divyo 'tyanta-nirmalaḥ khaḍgaḥ kasya? || kasya ayaṃ vimalaḥ khaḍgaḥ gavye kośe samarpitaḥ ||
Uttara said: “Whose is this divine sword—exceedingly pure and radiant—set in a scabbard made of tiger-skin, adorned with gold, unbearable to enemies, with a splendidly fashioned point and a decorated sheath—large and ornamented? Whose is this spotless sword placed in a cowhide scabbard?”
उत्तर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the traditional kṣatriya valuation of arms as symbols of duty and protection: a weapon is not merely an object but a marker of responsibility, lineage, and readiness to confront adharma. The careful description underscores reverence for martial equipment when used in rightful defense.
In Virāṭa Parva, as the situation turns toward armed conflict, Uttara notices an exceptionally ornamented sword and asks whose it is. The question functions as recognition and inquiry about ownership and the warrior associated with such a formidable weapon.