Shloka 4
Rukmī’s Offer of Aid and Arjuna’s Refusal (रुक्मिप्रस्तावः—अर्जुनप्रत्याख्यानम्)
श्रूयते च महाप्राज्ञ हैहघानमितौजस: । अभ्ययुब्रद्विणा: सर्वे समुच्छितकुशध्वजा:,“महामते! सुना जाता है कि समस्त ब्राह्मणोंने अपनी कुशमयी ध्वजा फहराते हुए पहले कभी अमिततेजस्वी हैहयवंशके क्षत्रियोंपर आक्रमण किया था
śrūyate ca mahāprajña haihayaghānamitaujasāḥ | abhyayubradviṇāḥ sarve samucchritakuśadhvajāḥ ||
ไวศัมปายนะกล่าวว่า “โอ ผู้มีจิตใจกว้างใหญ่ เป็นที่เล่าขานกันในโบราณว่า เหล่าพราหมณ์ทั้งปวงได้ชูธงทำด้วยหญ้ากุศะอันศักดิ์สิทธิ์ขึ้นสูง แล้วเคยยกออกไปด้วยความเป็นปรปักษ์ เข้าตีเหล่ากษัตริย์ไหหยะผู้มีกำลังอันหาประมาณมิได้”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a remembered precedent where even Brahmins—normally associated with restraint and ritual authority—can become agents of confrontation when dharma is perceived to be threatened. The kuśa-banner underscores that their action is framed as ritually sanctioned or morally motivated rather than merely political.
Vaiśampāyana reports an old tradition: all the Brahmins, carrying raised standards made of kuśa grass, once advanced as enemies and attacked the powerful Haihaya Kṣatriyas. The statement functions as an illustrative precedent within the broader Udyoga Parva discussions on conflict and conduct.