Shloka 20
Jarāsandha-nipātana, rāja-mokṣa, and rājasūya-sāhāyya-prārthanā
Jarāsandha’s fall, liberation of kings, and request for support
स्वर्गमार्गाय कस्य स्याद् विग्रहो वै यथा तव । मागधेरविंपुलै: सैन्यैर्बाहुल्यबलदर्पित:
svargamārgāya kasya syād vigraho vai yathā tava | māgadher avipulaiḥ sainyair bāhulya-baladarpitaḥ |
「まもなく汝と我らの間に起ころうとするこの戦いほど、天界への道の手立てとして、これほど容易に与えられた争いが他にあろうか。だが、摩掲陀の大軍と豊かな力に驕り酔い、他者を侮り辱めてはならぬ。王よ、人は誰しも相応の力と武勇を持つ。大王よ、ある者には汝に等しい輝きがあり、ある者には汝をも上回る輝きがある。」
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not become arrogant due to numerical strength or powerful allies; true valor is widespread, and ethical restraint (not insulting others) is part of righteous conduct—especially for a ruler and warrior.
Śrī Kṛṣṇa addresses a king in the Sabha Parva context, framing an impending battle as a potential heaven-leading opportunity for a kṣatriya, while simultaneously warning him not to misuse the backing of Magadha’s vast forces to demean others.