Shloka 16
यस्याद्य कर्म द्रक्ष्यसे मूढसत्त्व शतक्रतोर्वा दैत्यसेनासु संख्ये । शूर: कृतास्त्रो मतिमान् मनस्वी प्रियड्करो धर्मसुतस्य राज्ञ:,जो खड्गद्वारा युद्ध करनेकी कलामें कुशल हैं, जिनका हाथ बड़ी फुर्तीसे अदभुत पैंतरे दिखाता हुआ चलता है, जो परम बुद्धिमान् और अद्वितीय वीर हैं, वे सहदेव मेरे पाँचवें पति हैं। ओ मूढ़ प्राणी! जैसे दैत्योंकी सेनामें देवराज इन्द्रका पराक्रम प्रकट होता है, उसी प्रकार युद्धमें तू आज सहदेवका महान् पौरुष देखेगा। वे शौर्यसम्पन्न, अस्त्रविद्याके विशेषज्ञ, बुद्धिमान, मनस्वी तथा धर्मपुत्र राजा युधिष्ठिरका प्रिय करनेवाले हैं
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
yasyādya karma drakṣyase mūḍhasattva śatakrator vā daityasenāsu saṅkhye |
śūraḥ kṛtāstro matimān manasvī priyāṅkaro dharmasutasya rājñaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O deluded one, today you will witness the deed and prowess of that hero—like the might of Śatakratu (Indra) revealed amid the ranks of the Daitya armies in battle. He is a valiant warrior, fully trained in the use of weapons, intelligent and high-minded, and ever intent on what is dear and beneficial to the dharma-born king (Yudhiṣṭhira).”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True martial excellence is framed ethically: the warrior’s prowess is praised not merely for violence, but for disciplined training (kṛtāstra), intelligence (matimān), and loyal service to the dharma-centered king (dharmasuta). Power is validated when aligned with righteous kingship and duty.
The narrator Vaiśampāyana describes an impending display of a warrior’s valor, comparing it to Indra’s might against the Daityas. The verse functions as a proclamation of confidence: the opponent will ‘see today’ the hero’s exploit in battle, emphasizing his competence and devotion to Yudhiṣṭhira.