Shloka 3
Sañjaya’s Knowledge of Keśava and the Discipline of Indriya-nigraha (संजयस्य केशवज्ञानम्—इन्द्रियनिग्रह-उपदेशः)
सापद्ववं कौरवेषु पाण्डवानां सुसम्मतम् । सारासारबल ज्ञातुं तेज:पुञज्जावभासितम्
sāpadvavaṁ kauraveṣu pāṇḍavānāṁ susammatam | sārāsārabala jñātuṁ tejaḥpuñjāvabhāsitam ||
Sañjaya disse: “Entre os Kauravas, a posição dos Pāṇḍavas foi bem aprovada e firmemente estabelecida. E, para discernir a força verdadeira — o que é substancial e o que é vazio — surgiu uma massa radiante de esplendor, irrompendo em brilho.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights discernment (viveka) in assessing power: true strength is not merely numerical or outward show, but the ‘essence’ (sāra) that stands the test of dharma and resolve; hollow strength (asāra) is exposed when confronted by genuine tejas.
Sañjaya reports a moment in the Udyoga Parva where the Pāṇḍavas’ stance is seen as sound and accepted, and a striking manifestation of brilliance (‘a mass of splendour’) appears—suggesting the emergence or presence of a formidable, clarifying power that reveals the real balance of strength between the sides.