Shloka 15
विराटसभायां पाण्डवानां प्रवेशः — Arjuna’s Encomium of Yudhiṣṭhira in Virāṭa’s Court
अजुन उवाच विहाय कीर्ति विपुलं यशश्नव युद्धात् परावृत्य पलायसे किम् । न तेड्य तूर्याणि समाहतानि तथैव राज्यादवरोपितस्य
arjuna uvāca vihāya kīrtiṁ vipulaṁ yaśas ca nava yuddhāt parāvṛtya palāyase kim | na te ’dya tūryāṇi samāhatāni tathaiva rājād avaropitasya ||
アルジュナは言った。「大いなる名誉と広き名声を捨て、なぜ戦場に背を向けて逃げるのか。今日、おまえの勝利の太鼓は、かつてのようには鳴り響かぬ。私はここに立つ、戦うために――パーンダヴァの第三子として、ユディシュティラ王の命に従う者として。かつておまえが王国から引きずり下ろした、そのユディシュティラに。ゆえに引き返し、顔を見せて私と相まみえよ。王にふさわしい振る舞いを思い出せ。」
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores kṣatriya-dharma: a ruler and warrior must uphold courage, face battle without disgraceful flight, and maintain conduct worthy of kingship; honor (kīrti/yaśas) is tied to steadfastness and responsibility.
Arjuna taunts and challenges a son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra who is retreating from combat, pointing out that the opponent’s victory-drums are silent and declaring himself ready to fight as a Pāṇḍava serving King Yudhiṣṭhira, whom the Kauravas had earlier deposed.