Shloka 17
Aśvatthāman’s Admonition to Karṇa on Boasting, Varṇa-Duties, and the Threat of Arjuna
Virāṭa-parva, Adhyāya 45
सहायवानस्मि रणे युध्येयममरैरपि । साध्वसं हि प्रणष्टं मे कि करोमि ब्रवीहि मे,अब तो मुझे आपकी सहायता मिल गयी है; अतः युद्धभूमिमें देवताओंका भी सामना कर सकता हूँ। मेरा सारा भय नष्ट हो गया। बताइये, अब मैं क्या करूँ? पुरुषप्रवर! मैंने गुरुसे सारथ्यकर्मकी शिक्षा प्राप्त की है; इसलिये आपके घोड़ोंको, जो शत्रुके रथका नाश करनेवाले हैं, मैं काबूमें रखूँगा
Uttara uvāca: sahāyavān asmi raṇe yudhyeyam amarair api | sādhvasaṁ hi praṇaṣṭaṁ me kiṁ karomi bravīhi me |
Uttara said: “Now that I have your support, I can fight on the battlefield—even against the gods. My fear has vanished. Tell me what I should do now. O foremost of men, I have learned the duties of a charioteer from my teacher; therefore I will control your horses, those that can shatter the enemy’s chariots.”
उत्तर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fear can be transformed into effective action when one seeks proper guidance and support; confidence grounded in a competent ally is ethically stronger than reckless pride.
Prince Uttara, reassured by his powerful companion’s support, declares his readiness to fight and asks what he should do next, signaling a shift from panic to purposeful engagement in battle.