Shloka 17
Duryodhana Seeks Droṇa’s Counsel; Imperative to Protect Jayadratha; Pāñcāla Assault on Duryodhana
यत्त्वत्र विहित॑ कार्य नैष तद् वेत्ति माधव | स्त्रीवदेष बिभर्त्येतां युक्तां कवचधारणाम्,माधव! इसे धारण करनेपर जिस कर्तव्यके पालनका विधान किया गया है, उसे यह नहीं जानता है। जैसे स्त्रियाँ गहने पहन लेती हैं, उसी प्रकार यह दूसरेके द्वारा दी हुई इस कवचधारणाको अपनाये हुए है
yattv atra vihitaṁ kāryaṁ naiṣa tad vetti mādhava | strīvad eṣa bibharty etāṁ yuktāṁ kavacadhāraṇām ||
Arjuna said: “O Mādhava, he does not understand the duty that is enjoined here in connection with wearing this armour. Like a woman who merely puts on ornaments, he bears this fitted armour as something adopted from another—without knowing the obligation that accompanies it.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
External symbols of power or protection (like armour) are not ethically neutral; they carry prescribed responsibilities. Arjuna criticizes mere outward adoption without understanding the dharma that should govern one’s conduct.
In the midst of the Drona Parva battle context, Arjuna addresses Kṛṣṇa (Mādhava), remarking that a certain warrior is wearing armour given by another and treats it like an ornament—without grasping the duty and discipline that should accompany such martial equipment.