Shloka 9
Arjuna’s Self-Identification and the Ten Names
Uttara–Arjuna Saṃvāda
एष वीरो महेष्वास: सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वर: । आगत: क्लीबवेषेण पार्थों नास्त्यत्र संशय:,“नपुंसकवेशमें ये समस्त शस्त्रधारियोंमें श्रेष्ठ महान् धनुर्धर वीर अर्जुन ही आ गये हैं, इसमें संदेह नहीं है
eṣa vīro maheṣvāsaḥ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ | āgataḥ klībaveṣeṇa pārtho nāsty atra saṃśayaḥ ||
एष वीरो महेष्वासः सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः। आगतः क्लीबवेषेण—पार्थोऽयम्, नात्र संशयः।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True excellence is not diminished by outward appearance. The verse highlights how a warrior’s inner worth and capability remain intact even under a humiliating or socially marginal disguise, underscoring self-mastery and strategic restraint in service of dharma.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ incognito year in Virāṭa’s realm, Arjuna appears in a klība (eunuch) disguise. The narrator identifies him unmistakably as Pārtha, praising him as the foremost among weapon-bearers despite his altered outward role.