Shloka 12
कण्वोपदेशः—नश्वरबलविवेकः तथा मातलिगुणकेश्याः आख्यानारम्भः
Kaṇva’s Counsel on Impermanent Power; Opening of the Mātali–Guṇakeśī Narrative
अनेकजयिनौ संख्ये यौ वै पुरुषसत्तमौ | तयोस्त्वं न समो राजन् भवितासि कदाचन,“राजन! दो ऐसे पुरुषरत्न हैं, जिन्होंने युद्धमें अनेक योद्धाओंपर विजय पायी है। तुम कभी उनके समान न हो सकोगे”
anekajayinau saṅkhye yau vai puruṣasattamau | tayos tvaṃ na samo rājan bhavitāsi kadācana ||
राजन्! रणांगणात अनेक विजय मिळविलेले ते दोन पुरुषश्रेष्ठ आहेत; तू कधीही त्यांच्या बरोबरीचा होऊ शकणार नाहीस.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores realistic self-assessment and humility in kingship: even a ruler should recognize when certain exceptional warriors surpass him, and avoid pride that leads to reckless conflict.
Vaiśampāyana, narrating the events, reports a statement addressed to a king: he is told that two eminent battle-victors exist and that he will never match their prowess—an admonition meant to shape the king’s judgment in the unfolding war-related deliberations.