Shloka 61
अर्जुनागमनम्
Arjuna’s Arrival and Reunion on the Sacred Mountain
एकेन बहव: सड्ख्ये मानुषेण पराजिता: । प्राप्प वैश्रवणावासं कि वक्ष्यथ धनेश्वरम्,“अरे! तुम बहुत बड़ी संख्यामें होकर भी आज एक मनुष्यद्वारा युद्धमें पराजित हो गये।” कुबेरभवनमें धनाध्यक्षके पास जाकर क्या कहोगे?”
Vaishampāyana uvāca: Ekena bahavaḥ saṅkhye mānuṣeṇa parājitāḥ | prāpya Vaiśravaṇāvāsaṃ kiṃ vakṣyatha dhaneśvaram ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Though you were many in number, you have been defeated in battle by a single human. When you reach the abode of Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera), what will you say to the Lord of Wealth?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Numerical strength without discipline, valor, and right conduct can still end in defeat; one must be accountable for failure, especially before a higher authority, and pride in mere numbers is ethically hollow.
The speaker mocks/rebukes a group for being routed in battle despite their large numbers, and warns them of the shame of reporting this defeat when they return to Kubera (Vaiśravaṇa), their lord, at his abode.