Shloka 10
Udyoga Parva Adhyāya 132 — Vidura’s Counsel on Udyama, Yaśas, and Kṣātra-Dharma
अप्यहेरारुजन् दंष्टामाश्वेव निधनं व्रज । अपि वा संशयं प्राप्प जीविते5पि पराक्रमे:
apy aher ārujan daṁṣṭrām āśv eva nidhanaṁ vraja | api vā saṁśayaṁ prāpya jīvite ’pi parākrame ||
Wika ni Vāyu: “Kahit sa pagbasag mo sa pangil ng ahas—ang kaaway—ay agad mong salubungin ang kamatayan, sumulong ka. At kahit maging alanganin ang iyong buhay, ipamalas mo pa rin ang iyong kagitingan sa labanan. Kapag ang kaaway ay gaya ng ahas, huwag umurong; piliin ang tapang kaysa mabuhay sa takot.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should uphold dharma through fearless effort: even when death is likely, a righteous warrior must show parākrama (heroic resolve) rather than retreat in fear.
Vāyu exhorts the listener to confront a dangerous, snake-like enemy decisively—breaking the ‘fangs’ (power to harm) even if it costs one’s life—urging steadfast valor amid uncertainty.