Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 3
अध्याय ५०: उत्तरेण सह अर्जुनस्य रथप्रयाणे ध्वजचिह्नैः कौरवसेनानिर्देशः
Arjuna directs Uttara by identifying Kaurava commanders through banners
दहत्यग्निरवाक्यस्तु तूष्णी भाति दिवाकर: । तूष्णीं धारयते लोकान् वसुधा सचराचरान्
dahaty agnir avākyas tu tūṣṇīṁ bhāti divākaraḥ | tūṣṇīṁ dhārayate lokān vasudhā sa-carācarān ||
Kṛpa said: “Fire burns without speaking; the Sun shines in silence; and the Earth, wordless, bears all worlds with their moving and unmoving beings. In the same way, a truly wise man—even after winning many battles, gaining immense wealth, and crushing an enemy host—does not indulge in vain self-praise. Power proves itself through action, not through boastful speech.”
कृप उवाच
Educational Q&A
True greatness is quiet: the wise do not advertise their valor or achievements. Like fire, the sun, and the earth, they let their power and duty speak through results, not through boastful words.
Kṛpa is admonishing someone for pointless talk and self-praise, reminding them that even after major victories and gains, a wise person remains restrained and dignified, using natural examples to reinforce the lesson.
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