Shloka 6
Udyoga Parva 21 — Bhīṣma’s Conciliatory Counsel, Karṇa’s Rebuttal, and Dhṛtarāṣṭra Sends Sañjaya (भीष्म-कर्ण-विवादः; संजय-प्रेषणम्)
किरीटी बलवान पार्थ: कृतास्त्रश्न महारथ: । को हि पाण्डुसुतं युद्धे विषहेत धनंजयम्,“कुन्तीपुत्र किरीटधारी महारथी अर्जुन बलवान् तथा अस्त्रविद्यामें निपुण हैं। कौन ऐसा वीर है, जो युद्धमें पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनका वेग सह सके?
kirīṭī balavān pārthaḥ kṛtāstraś ca mahārathaḥ | ko hi pāṇḍusutaṃ yuddhe viṣaheta dhanañjayam ||
वैशम्पायन उवाच—किरीटी बलवान् पार्थः कृतास्त्रो महारथः। को हि पाण्डुसुतं युद्धे विषहेत धनंजयम्॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that power and mastery in warfare carry ethical and strategic consequences: provoking a supremely capable warrior like Arjuna is not merely a tactical error but a failure of prudent judgment that can lead to widespread destruction.
Vaiśampāyana describes Arjuna’s exceptional qualifications—diadem-bearing, strong, weapon-trained, and a top-tier chariot-warrior—then poses a rhetorical question to emphasize that few, if any, could withstand him in open battle.