Shloka 3
Tapas as the Root of Attainment (तपः—साधनमूलप्रशंसा)
आत्मनो बलमास्थाय कथं वर्तेत मानव: । आगच्छतो>तिक्रुद्धस्य तस्योद्धरणकाम्यया
ātmano balam āsthāya kathaṁ varteta mānavaḥ | āgacchato 'tikruddhasya tasyoddharaṇakāmyayā ||
Tinanong ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “Kung sa sariling lakas lamang aasa, paano dapat kumilos ang isang tao kapag ang kaaway na higit na malakas—laging malapit, may kakayahang tumulong at manakit, at walang tigil sa pagkilos—ay napukaw ng hangal na pagyayabang at ngayo’y sumusugod sa matinding galit, upang bunutin siya nang lubusan? Anong asal ang magtatanggol sa taong sinasalakay?”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharma-question about practical ethics: when one has foolishly provoked a much stronger adversary, mere bravado is useless; one must adopt conduct grounded in realistic self-assessment, restraint, and protective strategy rather than pride.
In Śānti Parva, Yudhiṣṭhira consults Bhīṣma on righteous conduct and policy. Here he asks how a weaker person should behave when a powerful, nearby, capable enemy—angered by the weaker person’s improper words—attacks with the intent to destroy him.