Shloka 51
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 123 — Bhīṣma–Droṇa–Vidura Upadeśa to Duryodhana
Keśava-vākya aftermath
दृश्यतां वा पुमान् कश्चित् समग्रे पार्थिवे बले । योअर्जुनं समरे प्राप्य स्वस्तिमानाव्रजेद् गृहान्,“राजाओंकी इन सम्पूर्ण सेनाओंमें किसी ऐसे पुरुषपर दृष्टिपात तो करो, जो युद्धमें अर्जुनका सामना करके कुशलपूर्वक अपने घर लौट सके?
dṛśyatāṃ vā pumān kaścit samagre pārthive bale | yo 'rjunaṃ samare prāpya svastimān āvrajed gṛhān ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Regardez bien parmi toutes ces armées royales : peut-on trouver un homme qui, après avoir affronté Arjuna au combat, rentre chez lui sain et sauf ?»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the awe inspired by true martial excellence: confronting a supremely skilled warrior like Arjuna is portrayed as nearly unsurvivable. Ethically, it functions as a warning against reckless escalation—leaders should weigh consequences before plunging armies into a war where survival itself is doubtful.
In the Udyoga Parva’s war-preparation context, Vaiśampāyana narrates a rhetorical challenge directed at the assembled royal forces: among all these kings and their troops, is there anyone who could meet Arjuna in combat and still return home safely? The statement heightens tension and emphasizes Arjuna’s feared reputation.