Shloka 8
Jarāsandha-prastāvaḥ — Nīti-cintā ca Jarāsandhasya janma-vṛttāntaḥ
The Jarāsandha Prelude: Strategic Counsel and Birth Account
कुले जन्म प्रशंसन्ति वैद्या: साधु सुनिष्ठिता: । बलेन सदृशं नास्ति वीर्य तु मम रोचते
kule janma praśaṃsanti vaidyāḥ sādhu suniṣṭhitāḥ | balena sadṛśaṃ nāsti vīryaṃ tu mama rocate ||
アルジュナは言った。「正しい行いに堅く立つ学識ある者たちは、高貴な家に生まれることを称えます。だが力に勝るものはありません。私には、武勇と戦の手柄こそが最も心にかなうのです。」
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts inherited status (noble birth) with personal capability (strength/valor), asserting that ethical worth and effectiveness—especially for a warrior—are grounded more in demonstrated prowess than in lineage alone.
In the Sabha Parva context, Arjuna voices a value-judgment: while society’s wise may commend high birth, he personally prioritizes strength and heroic energy as the decisive qualities in action and reputation.