Shloka 2
Jarāsandha–Vāsudeva Saṃvāda: Kṣātra-Dharma, Pride, and the Ethics of Coercion
Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 20
न शक््यो<सौ रणे जेतुं सर्वैरपि सुरासुरै: । बाहुयुद्धेन जेतव्य: स इत्युपलभामहे
na śakyo 'sau raṇe jetuṁ sarvair api surāsuraiḥ | bāhuyuddhena jetavyaḥ sa ity upalabhāmahe ||
વાયુદેવે કહ્યું—રણમાં તો સર્વ દેવો અને અસુરો પણ મળીને તેને જીતી શકતા નથી; તેથી મારી સમજ મુજબ તેને બાહુયુદ્ધથી જ જીતવો જોઈએ.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
When ordinary force proves ineffective, one should discern the opponent’s true vulnerability and choose a fitting method—here, not mass warfare but a direct test of bodily strength. The verse highlights strategic discernment and proportional means rather than indiscriminate escalation.
Vāyu offers counsel about an exceptionally formidable figure: he is said to be unconquerable in conventional battle even by combined divine and asuric forces. Vāyu therefore recommends defeating him through bāhuyuddha—close, hand-to-hand combat—implying that this mode alone offers a realistic path to victory.