Shloka 48
Samrāt-Lakṣaṇa and the Counsel to Check Jarāsandha (सम्राट्-लक्षणं जरासन्ध-प्रतिबाधा-परामर्शः)
पृथक्त्वेन महाराज संक्षिप्य महतीं श्रियम्
pṛthaktvena mahārāja saṃkṣipya mahatīṃ śriyam | rājan! tadā vayam evaṃ niścayaṃ kṛtavantaḥ— ‘iha sthitāṃ vipulāṃ sampattiṃ pṛthak-pṛthag vibhajya stokāṃ stokāṃ kṛtvā putraiś ca bhrātṛ-bandhubhiḥ saha śatrubhayād apasarpāmaḥ’ iti | evaṃ matvā vayaṃ sarve paścima-diśaṃ śaraṇaṃ gatāḥ ||
Ô grand roi, après avoir ramené notre immense prospérité à des parts que l’on pouvait emporter, nous prîmes cette résolution : «Partageons la grande richesse d’ici en lots distincts, réduisons-la en petites parts, et, avec nos fils et nos proches, fuyons par crainte de l’ennemi.» Ayant ainsi jugé, nous cherchâmes tous refuge en nous tournant vers l’Occident.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
When danger threatens, dharma can require prudent restraint: reduce attachment to wealth, prioritize the safety of dependents, and choose a strategic retreat rather than reckless confrontation. The ethical emphasis is on protecting life and kin through measured, realistic decision-making.
Śrī Kṛṣṇa describes a collective decision made under threat: they divide and pack their large wealth into smaller shares, gather sons and relatives, and move away—seeking refuge toward the western direction due to fear of an enemy.