Shloka 24
Śaṅkha–Likhita Upākhyāna: Daṇḍa, Confession, and the Purification of Kingship (शङ्ख-लिखितोपाख्यानम्)
शत्रून् हत्वा हतस्याजौ शूरस्याक्लिष्टकर्मण: । असहायस्य संग्रामे निर्जितस्य युधिष्ठिर
śatrūn hatvā hatasyājau śūrasya akliṣṭa-karmaṇaḥ | asahāyasya saṅgrāme nirjitasya yudhiṣṭhira ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「ユディシュティラよ、その英雄――労せずして業を成し遂げる者――は戦場で敵を討ち倒した。だが後に、頼みの綱を失うと、戦いのただ中で制せられ、敗れ、敵の手にかかって命を落とした。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a powerful and capable warrior can fall when deprived of support; strength and merit alone do not guarantee victory. In the context of rājadharma, the verse underscores the practical and ethical importance of alliances, protection of one’s dependents, and not leaving a capable person isolated in crisis.
Vaiśampāyana addresses Yudhiṣṭhira, describing a heroic fighter who had earlier slain enemies but later, becoming ‘asahāya’ (without allies/support), was defeated in battle and killed by opponents—an illustrative example within the Shānti Parva’s instruction on governance and conduct.