Shloka 41
Aśvatthāman’s Admonition to Karṇa on Boasting, Varṇa-Duties, and the Threat of Arjuna
Virāṭa-parva, Adhyāya 45
पिनाकपाणिनं चैव कथमेतान् न योधये । रथं वाहय मे शीघ्र व्येतु ते मानसो ज्वर:
uttara uvāca |
pinākapāṇinaṃ caiva katham etān na yodhaye |
rathaṃ vāhaya me śīghraṃ vyetu te mānaso jvaraḥ ||
Uttara said: “And how could I not fight these men—especially when (you are) Pināka-bearing Śiva himself? Drive my chariot quickly; let your fever of the mind be dispelled.”
उत्तर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames courage as something awakened by recognizing true capability and right support: once Uttara perceives his companion as overwhelmingly powerful (likened to Pināka-bearing Śiva), hesitation and panic should be cast off, and decisive action taken.
In the Virāṭa episode, Uttara—now emboldened—urges swift movement of the chariot and expresses confidence that fighting the opposing warriors is possible, invoking the image of Śiva with the Pināka bow to emphasize the companion’s (Arjuna’s) formidable power and to dispel fear.