Shloka 5
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 42 — Duryodhana’s counsel to Bhīṣma on ajñātavāsa risk and raid strategy
शलभा यत्र सौवर्णास्तपनीयवि भूषिता: । सुवर्णमणिचित्रं च कस्यैतद् धनुरुत्तमम्
śalabhā yatra sauvarṇās tapanīyavibhūṣitāḥ | suvarṇamaṇicitram ca kasyaitad dhanur uttamam ||
ウッタラーは言った。「この上等の弓は誰のものか――精錬して火で鍛えた黄金の飾りがきらめき、さらに黄金と宝玉の象嵌によって不思議なほど多彩に見えるのだが。」
उत्तर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights discernment and respectful inquiry: before taking up a weapon, one should know its ownership and significance. In the Virata narrative, this also underscores that power and martial skill are tied to responsibility and rightful use, not mere attraction to splendor.
Prince Uttara, seeing a richly ornamented, gem-inlaid bow among stored weapons, asks whose superb bow it is. This question occurs in the Virata Parva context where concealed arms are being identified, foreshadowing the revelation of the Pandavas’ martial resources.