Shloka 1
Aśvatthāman’s Admonition to Karṇa on Boasting, Varṇa-Duties, and the Threat of Arjuna
Virāṭa-parva, Adhyāya 45
(दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठके १ ६ श्लोक मिलाकर कुल २६३ “लोक हैं।) हू... “+ (9) #:-ज 2४) पजञज्चचत्वारिशो< ध्याय: अर्जुनद्वारा युद्धकी तैयारी, अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंका स्मरण, उनसे वार्तालाप तथा उत्तरके भयका निवारण उत्तर उवाच आस्थाय रुचिरं वीर रथं सारथिना मया । कतमं॑ यास्यसे5नीकमुक्तो यास्याम्यहं त्वया,उत्तर बोला--वीरवर! आप सुन्दर रथपर आरूढ़ हो मुझ सारथिके साथ किस सेनाकी ओर चलेंगे? आप जहाँ चलनेके लिये आज्ञा देंगे, वहीं मैं आपके साथ चलूँगा
uttara uvāca |
āsthāya ruciraṃ vīra rathaṃ sārathinā mayā |
katamaṃ yāsyase 'nīkam ukto yāsyāmy ahaṃ tvayā ||
Uttara said: “O hero, having mounted this splendid chariot with me as your charioteer, toward which division of the army will you go? Tell me, and I shall go with you wherever you command.”
उत्तर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined followership in a crisis: the junior warrior (Uttara) submits to the judgment of the experienced hero (Arjuna), showing that effective action in war depends on clear command, trust, and readiness to carry out duty without wavering.
As the battle situation develops in the Virāṭa episode, Uttara, seated on a fine chariot with Arjuna, asks which enemy formation they should approach. He declares he will drive wherever Arjuna orders, setting the stage for Arjuna’s tactical direction and for addressing Uttara’s fear.