Shloka 37
Aśvatthāman’s Admonition to Karṇa on Boasting, Varṇa-Duties, and the Threat of Arjuna
Virāṭa-parva, Adhyāya 45
अर्जुनका शड्खनाद देवदानवसंकुले । सर तथा प्रतिभये तस्मिन खाण्डवे युध्यमानस्य कस्तदा55सीतू सखा मम,यह सुनकर अर्जुन खिलखिलाकर हँस पड़े और बोले--“वीर! डरो मत! कौरवोंकी घोषयात्राके समय जब मैंने महाबली गन्धर्वोंके साथ युद्ध किया था, उस समय मेरा सखा या सहायक कौन था? जब देवताओं और दानवोंसे भरे हुए उस अत्यन्त भयंकर खाण्डववनमें मैं युद्ध कर रहा था, उस समय मेरा साथी कौन था?
Uttara uvāca—arjunakā śaṅkhanāda devadānavasaṅkule | sara tathā pratibhaye tasmin khāṇḍave yudhyamānasya kas tadā āsīt sakhā mama ||
“When Arjuna’s conch resounded in that dreadful Khāṇḍava forest—thronged with gods and Dānavas—while I was fighting there amid showers of arrows and terror, who, at that time, was my friend and helper?”
उत्तर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ideal of courage grounded in proven valor: true strength is not dependent on external support but on steadfast resolve and confidence born of righteous conduct and past discipline in battle.
Uttara recalls (in awe and questioning) Arjuna’s famed exploits—especially the terrifying Khāṇḍava conflict amid divine and demonic forces—asking who could have been Arjuna’s companion then, underscoring Arjuna’s solitary prowess and inspiring fearlessness.