Shloka 18
तथा च बलवान् राजा जरासंधो दुरासद: । समरे समरश्लाधिन् न त्वया सदृशो5भवत्,'युद्धकी श्लाघा रखनेवाले वीर! यद्यपि राजा जरासंध दुर्जय एवं बलवान् था, तथापि वह रणभूमिमें तुम्हारी समानता न कर सका
tathā ca balavān rājā jarāsandho durāsadaḥ | samare samarāślāghin na tvayā sadṛśo 'bhavat ||
Sañjaya said: “And indeed, though King Jarāsandha was mighty and hard to overcome, O hero who takes pride in battle, even he did not prove equal to you on the field of war.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores a classical epic ethic of measuring true prowess by deeds in battle rather than reputation: even a famed, formidable king like Jarāsandha is declared inferior when compared to the addressed warrior. It highlights how renown must be tested against actual conduct and capability in decisive moments.
Sañjaya, narrating events to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, praises the addressed warrior’s battlefield superiority by invoking Jarāsandha as a benchmark of strength and difficulty to defeat, then stating that even Jarāsandha could not match him in war.