Shloka 12
Rukmī’s Offer of Aid and Arjuna’s Refusal (रुक्मिप्रस्तावः—अर्जुनप्रत्याख्यानम्)
रश्मिवतामिवादित्यो वीरुधामिव चन्द्रमा: । कुबेर इव यक्षाणां देवानामिव वासव:
raśmivatām ivādityo vīrudhām iva candramāḥ | kubera iva yakṣāṇāṃ devānām iva vāsavaḥ ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「光輝あるものの中で太陽が第一であるように、草木と薬草の中で月が第一であるように、ヤクシャの中でクベーラが第一であるように、神々の中でヴァーサヴァ（インドラ）が第一であるように――そのように、あなたが我ら全軍の総帥となり、守護者となり給え。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames rightful command as protective stewardship: a leader should stand to the army as cosmic guardians do to their domains—foremost in excellence, responsible for order, and committed to safeguarding those under their charge.
In the Udyoga Parva’s mobilization context, the speaker uses a chain of exalted comparisons (Sun, Moon, Kubera, Indra) to praise and urge a chosen leader to become the supreme commander and protector of the assembled forces.