Shloka 4
Rukmī’s Offer of Aid and Arjuna’s Refusal (रुक्मिप्रस्तावः—अर्जुनप्रत्याख्यानम्)
श्रूयते च महाप्राज्ञ हैहघानमितौजस: । अभ्ययुब्रद्विणा: सर्वे समुच्छितकुशध्वजा:
śrūyate ca mahāprajña haihayaghānamitaujasāḥ | abhyayubradviṇāḥ sarve samucchritakuśadhvajāḥ ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「おお、広き心の者よ。古き伝承にこう聞く。すべてのバラモンたちは、聖なるクシャ草で作った旗を高く掲げ、かつて敵意をもって進軍し、計り知れぬ威力をもつハイハヤ族のクシャトリヤを攻めたのだ。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a remembered precedent where even Brahmins—normally associated with restraint and ritual authority—can become agents of confrontation when dharma is perceived to be threatened. The kuśa-banner underscores that their action is framed as ritually sanctioned or morally motivated rather than merely political.
Vaiśampāyana reports an old tradition: all the Brahmins, carrying raised standards made of kuśa grass, once advanced as enemies and attacked the powerful Haihaya Kṣatriyas. The statement functions as an illustrative precedent within the broader Udyoga Parva discussions on conflict and conduct.