Shloka 59
Samrāt-Lakṣaṇa and the Counsel to Check Jarāsandha (सम्राट्-लक्षणं जरासन्ध-प्रतिबाधा-परामर्शः)
कड़क: शड्कुश्च कुन्तिश्व सप्तैते वै महारथा: । पुत्रो चान्धकभोजस्य वृद्धो राजा च ते दश
Kaḍakaḥ Śaḍkuś ca Kuntiś ca saptaite vai mahārathāḥ | putro cāndhakabhojasya vṛddho rājā ca te daśa ||
Śrī Kṛṣṇa bersabda: “Kaḍaka, Śaḍku, dan Kunti—mereka ini ialah maharatha yang termasyhur. Dan apabila dihitung juga putera ketua Andhaka-Bhoja serta raja yang lanjut usia, jumlahnya menjadi sepuluh.”
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse functions as a martial and political enumeration: it highlights how leadership assesses strength by identifying key champions (mahārathas) and counting reliable allies—an ethical reminder that power in royal affairs is measured not only by numbers but by the quality and stature of those who uphold a cause.
Śrī Kṛṣṇa is naming notable fighters and tallying them: three are listed explicitly (Kaḍaka, Śaḍku, Kunti), they are included among seven great chariot-warriors, and when the son of the Andhaka-Bhoja leader and an aged king are added, the total becomes ten.