Shloka 2
Jarāsandha–Vāsudeva Saṃvāda: Kṣātra-Dharma, Pride, and the Ethics of Coercion
Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 20
न शक््यो<सौ रणे जेतुं सर्वैरपि सुरासुरै: । बाहुयुद्धेन जेतव्य: स इत्युपलभामहे,युद्धमें तो सम्पूर्ण देवता और असुर भी उसे जीत नहीं सकते, अतः मेरी समझमें यही आता है कि उसे बाहुयुद्धके द्वारा जीतना चाहिये
na śakyo 'sau raṇe jetuṁ sarvair api surāsuraiḥ | bāhuyuddhena jetavyaḥ sa ity upalabhāmahe ||
Vāyu berkata: “Dia tidak dapat ditundukkan dalam pertempuran terbuka, walaupun semua dewa dan asura bergabung sekali pun. Maka, pada hematku, dia harus ditewaskan melalui pertarungan tangan kosong—adu kekuatan—bukan dengan cara perang yang lazim.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
When ordinary force proves ineffective, one should discern the opponent’s true vulnerability and choose a fitting method—here, not mass warfare but a direct test of bodily strength. The verse highlights strategic discernment and proportional means rather than indiscriminate escalation.
Vāyu offers counsel about an exceptionally formidable figure: he is said to be unconquerable in conventional battle even by combined divine and asuric forces. Vāyu therefore recommends defeating him through bāhuyuddha—close, hand-to-hand combat—implying that this mode alone offers a realistic path to victory.