Shloka 7
अर्जुनस्य दिग्विजयारम्भः — Arjuna Initiates the Northern Campaign and Secures Bhagadattta’s Tribute
उवाच मतिमान् राजा भीम॑ भीमपराक्रम: । भीम योत्स्ये त्वया सार्ध श्रेयसा निर्जितं वरम्,उस समय भयानक पराक्रम करनेवाले बुद्धिमान् राजा जरासंधने भीमसेनसे कहा --'भीम! आओ, मैं तुमसे युद्ध करूँगा; क्योंकि श्रेष्ठ पुरुषसे लड़कर हारना भी अच्छा है!
uvāca matimān rājā bhīma bhīmaparākramaḥ | bhīma yotsye tvayā sārdhaṃ śreyasā nirjitaṃ varam ||
Saat itu raja Jarāsandha yang bijaksana dan termasyhur akan kegagahannya berkata kepada Bhīmasena: “Bhīma, kemarilah—aku akan bertarung denganmu. Sebab dikalahkan oleh seorang luhur dan utama pun adalah nasib yang lebih baik.”
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of honor in combat: even defeat can be 'better' when it comes through a worthy, noble opponent, because such a loss preserves dignity and aligns with righteous warrior conduct.
Jarāsandha, the powerful king, directly invites Bhīma to single combat, declaring his willingness to fight and suggesting that being overcome by a superior man is preferable—setting the tone for an honor-bound duel.