Mahabharata 1.187.4 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 187, Shloka 4
Ādi-parva, Adhyāya 187: Drupada’s Inquiry and the Dharma Debate on Draupadī’s Marriage
यत् कर्णशल्यप्रमुखै: क्षत्रियैलोकविश्रुतै: नानतं बलवद्धिह्ि धरनुर्वेदपरायणै:
vaiśampāyana uvāca | yat karṇaśalyapramukhaiḥ kṣatriyair lokaviśrutaiḥ nānataṃ balavadbhir hi dhanurvedaparāyaṇaiḥ |
ವೈಶಂಪಾಯನನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ಕರ್ಣ, ಶಲ್ಯ ಮೊದಲಾದ ಬಲಿಷ್ಠರೂ ಲೋಕವಿಖ್ಯಾತರೂ ಧನುರ್ವೇದಪರಾಯಣರೂ ಆದ ಕ್ಷತ್ರಿಯರೂ ಸಹ ವಂಗಿಸಲಾರಿದ ಆ ಧನುಸ್ಸನ್ನು, ಅಸ್ತ್ರವಿದ್ಯೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಶೂನ್ಯನೂ ದೇಹಬಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ದುರ್ಬಲನೂ ಆದ ಈ ಕೇವಲ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣ ಬಾಲಕ ಹೇಗೆ ಜ್ಯೆ ಏರಿಸಬಲ್ಲನು?
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how reputation, caste-identity, and visible strength can mislead; true capability may appear where society least expects it. Ethically, it cautions against contempt and premature judgment, especially when assessing another’s worth or destiny.
A formidable bow is being discussed—one that even celebrated warrior-kṣatriyas like Karṇa and Śalya could not bend. The speaker expresses disbelief that a seemingly weak brahmin boy, without martial training, could string it, setting up a dramatic test of ability.
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