Shloka 1
कृपकर्णसंवादः
Kṛpa’s Counsel to Karṇa on Deśa-Kāla and Coordinated Strategy
हि मय न (0) है चतुश्नत्वारिशो< ध्याय: अर्जुनका उत्तरकुमारसे अपना और अपने भाइयोंका यथार्थ परिचय देना उत्तर उवाच सुवर्णविकृतानीमान्यायुधानि महात्मनाम् । रुचिराणि प्रकाशन्ते पार्थानामाशुकारिणाम्,उत्तरने पूछा-बृहन्नले! रणमें फुर्ती दिखानेवाले जिन महात्मा दुन्तीपुत्रोंके ये सुवर्णभूषित सुन्दर आयुध इतने प्रकाशित हो रहे हैं, वे पृथापुत्र अर्जुन, कुरुनन्दन युधिष्ठिर, नकुल, सहदेव और पाण्डुपुत्र भीमसेन अब कहाँ हैं?
Uttara uvāca | suvarṇa-vikṛtānīmāny āyudhāni mahātmanām | rucirāṇi prakāśante pārthānām āśu-kāriṇām ||
Uttara said: “O Bṛhannalā, these splendid weapons—adorned with gold—shine brilliantly, belonging to the great-souled sons of Pṛthā, swift in action on the battlefield. Where now are Arjuna, and Yudhiṣṭhira the joy of the Kurus, and Nakula, Sahadeva, and Bhīmasena, the son of Pāṇḍu?”
उत्तर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights discernment and respect for true merit: Uttara recognizes the radiance and craftsmanship of the Pāṇḍavas’ weapons and, by extension, the greatness of their owners—suggesting that noble qualities and rightful prowess reveal themselves even when persons are hidden.
On the eve of battle against the Kauravas’ forces, Uttara notices the brilliant, gold-adorned weapons stored away and asks Bṛhannalā (Arjuna in disguise) where the Pāṇḍava heroes—Arjuna, Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīma, Nakula, and Sahadeva—are now.