Shloka 3
Jarāsandha-prastāvaḥ — Nīti-cintā ca Jarāsandhasya janma-vṛttāntaḥ
The Jarāsandha Prelude: Strategic Counsel and Birth Account
जरासंधबल प्राप्य दुष्पारं भीमविक्रमम् । यमो<पि न विजेता55जौ तत्र वः कि विचेष्टितम्
Jarāsandha-balaṁ prāpya duṣpāraṁ bhīma-vikramam | yamo 'pi na vijetā syāt tatra vaḥ kiṁ viceṣṭitam ||
ユディシュティラは言った。「ジャラーサンダの軍勢は越え難く、その武勇は恐るべきものだ。あの戦場では、たとえヤマでさえ勝利できまい。ならば、そこでそなたたちの働きが何を成し得ようか。」
युधिषछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent judgment in dharma-based leadership: one should realistically assess an opponent’s power and the limits of one’s means, avoiding reckless action driven by impulse or pride.
Yudhiṣṭhira cautions his companions about the daunting power of Jarāsandha, arguing that if even Yama is imagined as unable to prevail, then their ordinary efforts seem futile—setting the stage for careful strategy rather than direct confrontation.