Jarāsandha–Vāsudeva Saṃvāda: Kṣātra-Dharma, Pride, and the Ethics of Coercion
Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 20
न शौरिणा विना पार्थो न शौरि: पाण्डवं विना । नाजेयो<स्त्यनयोलोंके कृष्णयोरिति मे मति:
na śauriṇā vinā pārtho na śauriḥ pāṇḍavaṃ vinā | nājeyo 'sty anayor loke kṛṣṇayor iti me matiḥ ||
Wika ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “Kung wala si Śauri (Kṛṣṇa), hindi ganap si Pārtha (Arjuna); at kung wala ang Pāṇḍava, hindi rin ganap si Śauri. Sa daigdig na ito, sa aking paghatol, walang makagagapi sa dalawang ‘Kṛṣṇa’ na ito.”
युधिछिर उवाच
The verse highlights the power of righteous partnership: Arjuna’s prowess and Kṛṣṇa’s guidance are mutually reinforcing, making their combined agency effectively invincible. It also reflects a leader’s ethical discernment—recognizing where strength becomes decisive when aligned with dharma and wise counsel.
Yudhiṣṭhira expresses his assessment of the political-military balance: he declares that Kṛṣṇa (Śauri) and Arjuna (Pārtha, also called Kṛṣṇa) are inseparable in effectiveness, and that together they are unconquerable in the world.