Shloka 266
Adhyāya 41 — Kṛṣṇa’s Battlefield Briefing and the Renewal of the Great Engagement
अन्यो हि न होकरथेन मर्त्यों युध्येत य: पाण्डवमिन्द्रकल्पम् । “शल्य! मैं रणभूमिमें मृत्यु अथवा विजयको सामने रखकर इन धनंजयके साथ युद्ध करूँगा। मेरे सिवा दूसरा कोई मनुष्य ऐसा नहीं है जो इन्द्रके समान पराक्रमी पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनके साथ एकमात्र रथके द्वारा युद्ध कर सके
anyo hi na ha rathena martyo yudhyeta yaḥ pāṇḍavam indrakalpam
Wika ni Sañjaya: “Walang ibang mortal ang makalalaban, gamit lamang ang iisang karwahe, sa anak ni Pāṇḍu na kasingtapang ni Indra.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical ideal of recognizing true excellence: Arjuna is portrayed as so formidable that ordinary standards of combat do not apply. It elevates the notion of kṣatriya-dharma—facing worthy opponents with courage—while acknowledging human limits before exceptional, almost divine, prowess.
Sañjaya, narrating the war to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, emphasizes Arjuna’s Indra-like might. The statement functions as a dramatic setup for the impending confrontation, implying that only an extraordinary warrior would dare engage Arjuna directly in single-chariot combat.