Shloka 1
अर्जुन-माहात्म्य-चिन्ता
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Appraisal of Arjuna’s Strategic Supremacy
ऑपन--माज बक। जि द्विपञज्चाशत्तमो<ड ध्याय: धृतराष्ट्रद्वारा अर्जुनसे प्राप्त होनेवाले भयका वर्णन धृतराष्ट्र रवाच यस्य वै नानृता वाच: कदाचिदनुशुश्रुम । त्रैलोक्यमपि तस्य स्याद् योद्धा यस्य धनंजय:
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | yasya vai nānṛtā vācaḥ kadācid anuśuśruma | trailokyam api tasya syād yoḍdhā yasya dhanaṃjayaḥ ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra dit : «Sañjaya, nous n’avons jamais entendu qu’un mensonge soit jamais sorti de sa bouche. Et pour celui dont le camp compte un guerrier tel que Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), la souveraineté même des trois mondes pourrait être sienne — que dire alors de la terre ?»
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
Truthfulness (satya) is presented as a foundational royal virtue that confers moral authority; when joined with righteous support and strength (Arjuna’s prowess), it makes even the highest sovereignty seem attainable.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra, speaking to Sañjaya, reflects on the formidable position of the Pāṇḍavas: Yudhiṣṭhira’s reputation for unwavering truth and Arjuna’s unmatched martial power together make their claim to rule appear overwhelming, intensifying Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s apprehension.