Shloka 52
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 123 — Bhīṣma–Droṇa–Vidura Upadeśa to Duryodhana
Keśava-vākya aftermath
कि ते जनक्षयेणेह कृतेन भरतर्षभ । यस्मिज्जिते जितं तत् स्यात् पुमानेक: स दृश्यताम्
ki te janakṣayeṇeha kṛtena bharatarṣabha | yasmiñ jite jitaṃ tat syāt pumān ekaḥ sa dṛśyatām ||
ବୈଶମ୍ପାୟନ କହିଲେ—“ହେ ଭରତବୃଷଭ, ଏଠାରେ ଜନକ୍ଷୟ କରାଇ ତୁମର କ’ଣ ଲାଭ? ତୁମ ପକ୍ଷରେ ଏକମାତ୍ର ଏମିତି ପୁରୁଷକୁ ଖୋଜ, ଯେ ଅର୍ଜୁନଙ୍କୁ ଜିତିପାରିବ; କାରଣ ଯାହାକୁ ଜିତିଲେ ଜିତ ନିଶ୍ଚିତ ମନାଯିବ।”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse discourages indiscriminate mass slaughter and urges a restrained, goal-focused approach: seek a decisive contest through a capable champion rather than pursuing victory through widespread human destruction.
Vaiśampāyana comments on the looming conflict, addressing a Bharata leader and arguing that instead of causing large-scale casualties, they should identify a single warrior who can defeat Arjuna—since Arjuna’s defeat would effectively signal the opposing side’s success.