Shloka 139
Atithi-satkāra and the Consolation of Wise Counsel (अतिथिसत्कारः प्रज्ञानवचनस्य च पराश्वासनम्)
मया वत्वं रक्षितो युद्धे महान्तं प्राप्तताउजयम् । यस्तु ते सो5ग्रतो याति युद्धे सम्प्रत्युपस्थिते
mayā tvaṁ rakṣito yuddhe mahāntaṁ prāptatā-ujayam | yastu te so ’grato yāti yuddhe sampratyupasthite ||
Arjuna dit : « Je t’ai protégé dans la bataille et je t’ai procuré une grande victoire. Mais celui qui, à présent, marche devant toi, alors que le combat est déjà là, est le véritable chef en cet instant. »
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Merit in war is tied not only to past service but to present responsibility: protection and victory create obligation, yet leadership is recognized by who steps forward when danger is imminent.
Arjuna speaks of having safeguarded someone in earlier fighting and secured victory, then contrasts that with the current moment, pointing out that the one who advances to the front now is the effective leader in the immediate battle situation.