Mahabharata 4.13.30 — Virata Parva, Adhyaya 13, Shloka 30
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 13 — Kīcaka’s Proposition and Draupadī’s Dharmic Refusal
तद् युद्धमभवद् घोरमशस्त्रं बाहुतेजसा । बलप्राणेन शूराणां समाजोत्सवसंनिधौ
tad yuddham abhavad ghoram aśastraṃ bāhu-tejasā | bala-prāṇena śūrāṇāṃ samājotsava-sannidhau ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Maka terjadilah suatu pertempuran yang menggerunkan—tanpa senjata, digerakkan hanya oleh nyala kekuatan lengan dan daya hayat para wira—berlangsung di hadapan khalayak yang berhimpun, seolah-olah di tengah pesta rakyat.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of valor becoming mere display: even without weapons, pride, reputation, and the pressure of an audience can intensify conflict into something ‘ghora’ (terrible). It invites reflection on restraint (dama) and responsibility in public settings, where social approval can fuel harmful action.
A fierce fight breaks out, notably without weapons—driven by sheer arm-strength and the vital energy of the warriors—while an assembled crowd looks on, as if the combat were occurring amid a festive public gathering.
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