Shloka 38
Dvaītavana: Brahmaghoṣa, Rṣi-saṅgha, and Baka Dālbhyā’s Upadeśa to Yudhiṣṭhira
यो न दर्शयते तेज: क्षत्रियः काल आगते । सर्वभूतानि तं पार्थ सदा परिभवन्त्युत,कुन्तीनन्दन! जो क्षत्रिय समय आनेपर अपने प्रभावको नहीं दिखाता, उसका सब प्राणी सदा तिरस्कार करते हैं
yo na darśayate tejaḥ kṣatriyaḥ kāla āgate | sarvabhūtāni taṃ pārtha sadā paribhavanty uta ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O Pārtha, when the decisive moment arrives, the kṣatriya who does not display his rightful vigor and authority becomes an object of contempt; indeed, all beings continually disregard him.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A kṣatriya’s dharma requires timely assertion of strength and authority for protection and justice; failing to act when the moment demands it leads to loss of honor and invites contempt, undermining one’s capacity to uphold order.
Vaiśampāyana, narrating the epic, addresses Pārtha (Arjuna) with a maxim about warrior duty: in a critical hour, a kṣatriya must manifest tejas; otherwise he becomes continually disregarded by others.