Shloka 13
Jarāsandha-prastāvaḥ — Nīti-cintā ca Jarāsandhasya janma-vṛttāntaḥ
The Jarāsandha Prelude: Strategic Counsel and Birth Account
तेन द्वारेण शत्रुभ्य: क्षीयते सबलो रिपु:,प्रमादरूप छिद्रके कारण बलवान शत्रु भी अपने शत्रुओंद्वारा मारा जाता है
tena dvāreṇa śatrubhyaḥ kṣīyate sa-balo ripuḥ | pramāda-rūpa-chidrake kāraṇāt balavān śatruḥ api sva-śatrubhiḥ māryate ||
उसी ‘द्वार’—अर्थात् प्रमादरूप छिद्र—से बलवान शत्रु भी अपने विरोधियों द्वारा क्षीण होकर नष्ट हो जाता है।
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Negligence (pramāda) creates a ‘breach’ (chidra) through which even a strong, well-supported opponent can be weakened and destroyed; vigilance is an ethical and strategic necessity.
Arjuna states a general principle of conflict and governance: enemies exploit openings caused by carelessness, so a powerful rival can still be overcome if he becomes negligent.