Shloka 10
Aśvatthāman’s Admonition to Karṇa on Boasting, Varṇa-Duties, and the Threat of Arjuna
Virāṭa-parva, Adhyāya 45
उत्तर उवाच बिभेमि नाहमेतेषां जानामि त्वां स्थिरं युधि | केशवेनापि संग्रामे साक्षादिन्द्रेण वा समम्
uttara uvāca bibhemi nāham eteṣāṃ jānāmi tvāṃ sthiraṃ yudhi | keśavenāpi saṅgrāme sākṣādindreṇa vā samam ||
Uttara said: “I am not afraid of them. I know you to be steadfast in battle—equal in combat even to Keśava, or to Indra himself in person.”
उत्तर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadiness in battle and the ethical power of recognizing true capability: fear diminishes when one trusts proven valor and leadership, expressed here through exalted comparisons to Krishna and Indra.
Uttara addresses his companion/leader in the war context and declares he is not afraid of the opposing warriors because he knows the other to be unwavering in combat, praising him as equal to Keśava or even Indra.