Shloka 13
उत्तरो भयविषण्णः — बृहन्नडेन धैर्योपदेशः
Uttara’s Panic and Bṛhannadā’s Stabilizing Counsel
अयं वै पाण्डवस्यासीत् सारथि: सम्मतो दृढ: । महायुद्धेषु संसिद्ध: स ते यन््ता भविष्यति
ayaṃ vai pāṇḍavasyāsīt sārathiḥ sammato dṛḍhaḥ | mahāyuddheṣu saṃsiddhaḥ sa te yantā bhaviṣyati ||
ഇവൻ പാണ്ഡവന്റെ സാരഥിയായിരുന്നു—ദൃഢനും മാന്യനും മഹായുദ്ധങ്ങളിൽ തെളിഞ്ഞവനും. ഇവൻ തന്നെയാകും നിനക്കും രഥസാരഥി.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic fitness for responsibility: a charioteer is not merely a driver but a trusted controller in crisis. Steadfastness, proven skill in difficult situations, and good reputation are presented as ethical qualifications for service in war and leadership support roles.
Vaiśaṃpāyana identifies a particular person as a reliable charioteer who previously served a Pāṇḍava and proved himself in major battles, and he states that this same person will now serve as the listener’s charioteer as well.