Shloka 6
कथं चोत्पादित: खड्ग: कस्मै चार्थाय केन च । पूर्वाचार्य च खड्गस्य प्रब्रूहि प्रपितामह,पितामह! खड्गकी उत्पत्ति कैसे और किस प्रयोजनके लिये हुई? किसने इसे उत्पन्न किया? खड्गयुद्धका प्रथम आचार्य कौन था? यह सब मुझे बताइये
kathaṃ cotpāditaḥ khaḍgaḥ kasmai cārthāya kena ca | pūrvācāryaś ca khaḍgasya prabrūhi prapitāmaha, pitāmaha ||
Sinabi ni Nakula: “O kagalang-galang na Pitāmaha, paano unang nalikha ang tabak—kanino at para sa anong layunin? At sino ang pinakaunang guro ng sining ng pakikipaglaban gamit ang tabak? Isalaysay mo sa akin ang lahat ng ito.”
नकुल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames weapons—especially the sword—within dharma: their legitimacy depends on origin, purpose, and disciplined transmission through a recognized teacher (ācārya). It implies that martial power must be grounded in right intent and proper instruction, not mere violence.
In the Śānti Parva dialogue, Nakula respectfully asks the venerable Pitāmaha (Bhīṣma) to explain the sword’s origin, its intended purpose, who created it, and who first taught its use—seeking authoritative tradition and ethical context for warfare.