Shloka 3.23.23

महोत्पात-लक्षणानि (Omens before Khara’s Assault)

Devanagari script

न क्वचित्प्राप्तपूर्वो मे संयुगेषु पराजयः।।।।युष्माकमेतत्प्रत्यक्षं नानृतं कथयाम्यहम्।

Transliteration

na kvacit prāptapūrvō mē saṅyugēṣu parājayaḥ | yuṣmākam ētat pratyakṣaṃ nānṛtaṃ kathayāmy aham ||

Translation

Never have I met defeat in battle—this you have yourselves witnessed directly; I am not speaking falsehood.

Context

I have never faced defeat in wars, and all of you have seen it with your eyes. I am not telling you a lie.

Characters & Entities

• Khara
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Satya (truthfulness) is invoked—yet dharma also requires truthful speech to serve righteousness, not to inflate ego or justify violence.

What is the narrative situation?

Khara reassures his troops by citing his undefeated record and claiming he speaks the truth.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truthfulness is named, but the lesson is discernment: factual truth can still be used in service of adharma when paired with pride.