Shloka 6
Rukmī’s Offer of Aid and Arjuna’s Refusal (रुक्मिप्रस्तावः—अर्जुनप्रत्याख्यानम्)
ततो युद्धेष्वभज्यन्त त्रयो वर्णा: पुन: पुन: । क्षत्रियाश्न॒ जयन्त्येव बहुलं चैकतो बलम्
tato yuddheṣv abhajyanta trayo varṇāḥ punaḥ punaḥ | kṣatriyāś ca jayanti eva bahulaṃ caikato balam ||
やがて戦が始まると、三つの身分の者たちは幾度となく隊列を崩し、背を向けて逃げ去った。だがクシャトリヤは心を一つにして戦い、敵が数で勝っていようとも、ついに彼らを打ち破った。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Numerical strength alone does not secure victory; disciplined unity and steadfast adherence to one’s duty—especially the Kṣatriya obligation to stand firm in battle—can overcome a larger but disordered force.
As fighting commences, many among the three varṇas repeatedly lose cohesion and retreat. In contrast, the Kṣatriyas remain united and consequently defeat the opposing side, even though that side has greater numbers.