Shloka 43
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 47 — Arjuna’s Deterrent Declaration
Sañjaya’s Report
ह्वीमान् मनीषी बलवान् मनस्वी स लक्ष्मीवान् सोमकानां प्रबर्ह: । न जातु तं॑ शत्रवो<न्ये सहेरन् येषां स स्यादग्रणीर्वष्णिसिंह:
hvīmān manīṣī balavān manasvī sa lakṣmīvān somakānāṁ prabarhaḥ | na jātu taṁ śatravo 'nye saheran yeṣāṁ sa syād agraṇīr vṛṣṇisiṁhaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: “Ang pangunahing bayani sa mga Somaka—marunong sa payo, makapangyarihan sa lakas, matatag sa diwa, at pinagpala ng marangal na kapalaran—ay hindi matitiis ng iba pang kaaway. Tunay nga, kapag ang ‘leon ng mga Vṛṣṇi’ ang tumayong pinuno sa unahan, walang puwersang kalaban ang makakayanang salubungin ang kanyang paglusob.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical ideal of kṣatriya leadership: strength must be joined with discernment, self-restraint, and steadfast resolve. Such a leader, when placed at the head of an army, becomes a moral and strategic force that opponents find difficult to withstand.
Sañjaya is describing the formidable allied champions—praising a foremost Somaka hero and the ‘lion among the Vṛṣṇis’ as a front-line leader—emphasizing that their presence and momentum make the enemy’s resistance unlikely.