Shloka 8
Jarāsandha-prastāvaḥ — Nīti-cintā ca Jarāsandhasya janma-vṛttāntaḥ
The Jarāsandha Prelude: Strategic Counsel and Birth Account
कुले जन्म प्रशंसन्ति वैद्या: साधु सुनिष्ठिता: । बलेन सदृशं नास्ति वीर्य तु मम रोचते,अनुभवी दिद्वान् उत्तम कुलमें जन्मकी बड़ी प्रशंसा करते हैं; परंतु बलके समान वह भी नहीं है। मुझे तो बल-पराक्रम ही श्रेष्ठ जान पड़ता है
kule janma praśaṃsanti vaidyāḥ sādhu suniṣṭhitāḥ | balena sadṛśaṃ nāsti vīryaṃ tu mama rocate ||
Arjuna disse: Os eruditos, firmes na reta conduta, louvam o nascimento em linhagem nobre. Contudo, nada se iguala à força. Quanto a mim, é o valor e a proeza que mais me agradam.
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts inherited status (noble birth) with personal capability (strength/valor), asserting that ethical worth and effectiveness—especially for a warrior—are grounded more in demonstrated prowess than in lineage alone.
In the Sabha Parva context, Arjuna voices a value-judgment: while society’s wise may commend high birth, he personally prioritizes strength and heroic energy as the decisive qualities in action and reputation.