Shloka 6
Kārtavīrya–Samudra Saṃvāda and the Jāmadagnya Precedent (आश्वमेधिक पर्व, अध्याय २९)
अजुन उवाच मत्समो यदि संग्रामे शरासनधर: क्वचित् । विद्यते तं समाचक्ष्व य: समासीत मां मृथे
arjuna uvāca matsamo yadi saṅgrāme śarāsanadharaḥ kvacit | vidyate taṃ samācakṣva yaḥ samāsīta māṃ mṛdhe ||
Arjuna berkata: “Wahai Lautan, jika di mana-mana ada seorang pemanah yang setara denganku dalam peperangan—yang benar-benar mampu berdiri menentangku di medan laga—tunjukkanlah dia kepadaku. Jika tidak, aku akan meninggalkanmu dan beredar.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Kshatriya ideal of testing one’s prowess against a worthy adversary, while also hinting at the ethical tension between rightful valor and self-assertive pride—strength should be directed toward dharmic purpose, not mere domination.
Arjuna addresses the Ocean and demands to be told of any warrior equal to him who can face him in battle; if none exists, he declares he will desist and depart—framing a challenge that advances the episode’s search for a fitting confrontation.