Mahabharata 1.187.4 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 187, Shloka 4
Ādi-parva, Adhyāya 187: Drupada’s Inquiry and the Dharma Debate on Draupadī’s Marriage
यत् कर्णशल्यप्रमुखै: क्षत्रियैलोकविश्रुतै: नानतं बलवद्धिह्ि धरनुर्वेदपरायणै:
vaiśampāyana uvāca | yat karṇaśalyapramukhaiḥ kṣatriyair lokaviśrutaiḥ nānataṃ balavadbhir hi dhanurvedaparāyaṇaiḥ |
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Busur yang bahkan para kṣatriya perkasa dan termasyhur—dipimpin Karṇa dan Śalya, yang tekun pada ilmu memanah—tak mampu membengkokkannya; bagaimana mungkin bocah brahmana ini, yang tanpa latihan senjata dan lemah tubuhnya, dapat memasang talinya?
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how reputation, caste-identity, and visible strength can mislead; true capability may appear where society least expects it. Ethically, it cautions against contempt and premature judgment, especially when assessing another’s worth or destiny.
A formidable bow is being discussed—one that even celebrated warrior-kṣatriyas like Karṇa and Śalya could not bend. The speaker expresses disbelief that a seemingly weak brahmin boy, without martial training, could string it, setting up a dramatic test of ability.
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