Shloka 47
कण्वोपदेशः—नश्वरबलविवेकः तथा मातलिगुणकेश्याः आख्यानारम्भः
Kaṇva’s Counsel on Impermanent Power; Opening of the Mātali–Guṇakeśī Narrative
कस्तमुत्सहते जेतु त्रिषु लोकेषु भारत । वीरं कपिध्वजं जिष्णुं यस्य नास्ति समो युधि
kastam utsahate jetuṃ triṣu lokeṣu bhārata | vīraṃ kapidhvajaṃ jiṣṇuṃ yasya nāsti samo yudhi ||
कस्तमुत्सहते जेतु त्रिषु लोकेषु भारत । वीरं कपिध्वजं जिष्णुं यस्य नास्ति समो युधि ॥
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ideal of kṣatriya valor and the recognition of true excellence: a warrior of proven prowess should not be underestimated. Ethically, it cautions against reckless aggression driven by pride, urging sober assessment of strength and consequence before choosing conflict.
Rama addresses Bharata and extols a peerless warrior identified by epithets—Kapidhvaja (“monkey-bannered”) and Jiṣṇu (“the victorious”)—i.e., Arjuna. The statement functions as emphatic praise, presenting Arjuna as unconquerable across the three worlds and thereby heightening the stakes of impending war.