Shloka 12

Samrāt-Lakṣaṇa and the Counsel to Check Jarāsandha (सम्राट्-लक्षणं जरासन्ध-प्रतिबाधा-परामर्शः)

Devanagari script

अपरौ च महावीर्यों महात्मानौ समाश्रितौ

Transliteration

aparau ca mahāvīryau mahātmānau samāśritau

Translation

Et deux autres encore — grands héros et hommes à l’âme noble — sont venus s’y réfugier (ou s’y rallier), signe d’alliés puissants dont la force et la droiture ajoutent un poids moral et stratégique au camp décrit.

Word by Word

• अपरौ: two others
• अपरौ: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अपर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• महावीर्यौ: two of great prowess
• महावीर्यौ: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महावीर्य
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• महात्मानौ: two great-souled ones
• महात्मानौ: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महात्मन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• समाश्रितौ: having taken refuge / having resorted to
• समाश्रितौ: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-श्रि
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual, क्त (past passive participle)

Speaker

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights that true strength is not merely physical prowess (vīrya) but is ideally joined with nobility of character (mahātman). In ethical terms, alliances gain legitimacy and stability when grounded in virtue and integrity, not only in power.

What is happening in the narrative?

The speaker is indicating that, besides those already mentioned, two additional eminent warriors—described as both mighty and noble—have aligned themselves with a particular side or cause, strengthening it through their presence and support.