Shloka 51
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 71 — Kṣatra-dharma Counsel, Public Legitimacy, and Mobilization
एको हापि बहून् हन्ति घ्नन्त्येकं बहवो<प्युत । शूरं कापुरुषो हन्ति अयशस्वी यशस्विनम्
eko hi api bahūn hanti ghnanty ekaṃ bahavo 'py uta | śūraṃ kāpuruṣo hanti ayaśasvī yaśasvinam ||
Kadang dalam perang, seorang kesatria saja dapat menumpas banyak orang; namun kadang banyak orang bersama-sama pun nyaris hanya mampu menjatuhkan satu. Bahkan terjadi si pengecut membunuh sang pahlawan, dan orang tanpa kemasyhuran mengalahkan yang termasyhur.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
War does not reliably reward merit, bravery, or reputation; even the famed can fall to the obscure. Therefore one should avoid arrogance, remain cautious in judgment, and ground decisions in dharma rather than in assumptions about strength or fame.
In Udyoga Parva, as the conflict approaches, Yudhiṣṭhira reflects on the unpredictability of battle—how numbers, heroism, and renown do not guarantee victory—framing a sober, ethical perspective amid preparations for war.