Shloka 28
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya Resolve and the Slaying of Jarāsandha
श्रीभगवानुवाच युद्धं नो देहि राजेन्द्र द्वन्द्वशो यदि मन्यसे । युद्धार्थिनो वयं प्राप्ता राजन्या नान्यकाङ्क्षिण: ॥ २८ ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca yuddhaṁ no dehi rājendra dvandvaśo yadi manyase yuddhārthino vayaṁ prāptā rājanyā nānya-kāṅkṣiṇaḥ
Tuhan Yang Maha Esa bersabda: “Wahai raja yang mulia, jika engkau menganggapnya wajar, berikanlah kepada kami pertempuran secara duel. Kami para ksatria datang memohon perang; tiada permintaan lain.”
FAQs
This verse highlights kṣatriya duty as seeking honorable combat, specifically proposing regulated one-on-one duels rather than chaotic warfare, reflecting dharmic conduct in battle.
In the Jarasandha episode, Krishna approaches as a warrior and proposes dvandva-yuddha (duel) as a righteous, traditional kṣatriya method—framing the conflict within dharma while aiming to end Jarasandha’s oppression.
Act with integrity and clear intention: face challenges directly, follow fair rules, and avoid hidden motives—doing what is right rather than pursuing selfish gain.