Shloka 42
अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
ममत्ववेक्षया वीर शृणु विज्ञापयामि ते । भवानिह च सारथ्ये वासुदेवसमो युधि
mamatvavekṣayā vīra śṛṇu vijñāpayāmi te | bhavāniha ca sārathye vāsudevasamo yudhi ||
யுதிஷ்டிரன் கூறினான்—ஓ வீரனே! என்னை எண்ணி கேள்; நான் உனக்கு விண்ணப்பிக்கிறேன். இப்போரில் தேரோட்டக் கலையில் நீ வாசுதேவன் (ஸ்ரீகிருஷ்ணன்) சமமானவன் என்று மதிக்கப்படுகிறாய்।
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights respectful petition and recognition of merit: a king frames his request with humility and personal regard, while affirming that true competence in war-support roles (like charioteering) is ethically significant and worthy of honor—so much so that it can be compared to Kṛṣṇa’s exemplary standard.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses a heroic figure and begins to state a request. He prefaces it by praising the addressee’s battlefield charioteering skill, saying that in this capacity the person is considered equal to Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa).