Shloka 26
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya Resolve and the Slaying of Jarāsandha
जीवता ब्राह्मणार्थाय को न्वर्थ: क्षत्रबन्धुना । देहेन पतमानेन नेहता विपुलं यश: ॥ २६ ॥
jīvatā brāhmaṇārthāya ko nv arthaḥ kṣatra-bandhunā dehena patamānena nehatā vipulaṁ yaśaḥ
Apakah gunanya seorang ksatria yang tidak layak, yang terus hidup namun tidak meraih kemasyhuran besar dengan menggunakan tubuh yang fana ini demi kebajikan para brāhmaṇa?
FAQs
This verse shows Bhīma measuring his worth by his duty to protect and fulfill the mission for the brāhmaṇas; if he fails, he considers life itself meaningless, and sees honorable death in duty as true glory.
In the Jarāsandha episode, the disguised ‘brāhmaṇas’ seek a combat boon; Bhīma, committed to their purpose (and to Kṛṣṇa’s plan), declares he would rather die than be an unworthy kṣatriya who cannot accomplish their request.
Do your duty with integrity and courage—measure success by faithful service to a higher purpose, not by mere self-preservation or reputation.