Shloka 42
अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
ममत्ववेक्षया वीर शृणु विज्ञापयामि ते । भवानिह च सारथ्ये वासुदेवसमो युधि
mamatvavekṣayā vīra śṛṇu vijñāpayāmi te | bhavāniha ca sārathye vāsudevasamo yudhi ||
युधिष्ठिर बोले—वीर! मेरी ओर स्नेह-दृष्टि रखकर सुनिये; मैं आपसे निवेदन करता हूँ। इस युद्ध में सारथ्य-कर्म के विषय में आप वासुदेवनन्दन श्रीकृष्ण के समान माने जाते हैं।
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights respectful petition and recognition of merit: a king frames his request with humility and personal regard, while affirming that true competence in war-support roles (like charioteering) is ethically significant and worthy of honor—so much so that it can be compared to Kṛṣṇa’s exemplary standard.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses a heroic figure and begins to state a request. He prefaces it by praising the addressee’s battlefield charioteering skill, saying that in this capacity the person is considered equal to Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa).