Shloka 11
आचार्य-क्षमा, देśa–kāla-नīti, तथा भेद-दोषः
Teacher-Reconciliation, Timing-Policy, and the Fault of Factionalism
अजुन उवाच मा भैस्त्वं राजपुत्राग्रय क्षत्रियोडसि परंतप । कथं तु पुरुषव्याप्र शत्रुमध्ये विषीदसि,अर्जुनने कहा--शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाले राजकुमारशिरोमणे! डरो मत, तुम क्षत्रिय हो। पुरुषसिंह! शत्रुओंके बीचमें आकर घबराते कैसे हो?
arjuna uvāca mā bhaiṣṭvaṁ rājaputrāgrya kṣatriyo ’si parantapa | kathaṁ tu puruṣavyāghra śatrumadhye viṣīdasi ||
Arjuna said: “Do not be afraid, foremost of princes—you are a kṣatriya, a scorcher of foes. O tiger among men, how can you lose heart after coming into the midst of enemies?”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A kṣatriya is expected to uphold dharma through steadiness and courage; fear and despondency in the face of enemies are portrayed as unworthy of one’s role and lineage. The verse urges inner firmness and the ethical resolve to meet danger without panic.
In the Virāṭa episode, Arjuna addresses a young royal figure who has become frightened upon confronting enemies. Arjuna reassures him, reminds him of his warrior status, and challenges his loss of heart in the enemy’s midst.