Shloka 9
Aśvatthāman’s Admonition to Karṇa on Boasting, Varṇa-Duties, and the Threat of Arjuna
Virāṭa-parva, Adhyāya 45
अधिष्ठितो मया संख्ये रथो गाण्डीवधन्वना । अजेय: शत्रुसैन्यानां वैराटे व्येतु ते भयम्,जब मैं युद्धभूमिमें गाण्डीव धनुष लेकर रथपर सवार होऊँगा, उस समय शत्रुओंकी सेनाएँ मुझे जीत नहीं सकेंगी; अतः विराटनन्दन! तुम्हारा भय अब दूर हो जाना चाहिये
adhiṣṭhito mayā saṅkhye ratho gāṇḍīvadhanvanā | ajeyaḥ śatrusainyānāṃ vairāṭe vyetu te bhayam ||
Arjuna said: “When I take my place upon the chariot in the midst of battle, bearing the Gāṇḍīva bow, the enemy’s armies will not be able to overcome me. Therefore, O son of Virāṭa, let your fear depart.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A leader’s duty in crisis is to replace panic with steadiness: Arjuna offers confident protection grounded in skill, readiness, and righteous resolve, urging the frightened ally to abandon fear and act with composure.
In the Virāṭa episode, Arjuna addresses the Virāṭa prince, promising that once he mounts the chariot with the Gāṇḍīva in battle, the enemy forces will be unable to defeat him; he therefore instructs the prince to cast off fear.