Shloka 40
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 72 — Bhīmasena’s counsel on conciliation and Duryodhana’s disposition
मनुष्यलोकक्षयकृत् सुघोरो नो चेदनुप्राप्त इहान्तकः स्यात् | शस्त्राणि यन्त्र कवचान् रथांश्व नागान् हयांश्व प्रतिपादयित्वा
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | manuṣyalokakṣayakṛt sughoro no ced anuprāpta ihāntakaḥ syāt | śastrāṇi yantra-kavacān rathāśva-nāgān hayāṃś ca pratipādayitvā |
Kung ang lubhang kakila-kilabot na Kamatayan—na nagdadala ng paglipol sa daigdig ng tao—ay hindi na lumalapit dito, hindi sana makikita ang ganitong paghahanda. Kaya, O hari, hayaang ang lahat ng inyong mandirigma, na may matatag na pasya para sa labanan, ay maayos na maghanda ng sari-saring sandata, mga kagamitang pandigma, baluti, mga karwahe, mga elepante at mga kabayo; hayaang sila’y sumakay sa mga elepante, kabayo, at karwahe at manatiling laging handang makipaglaban. At bukod pa rito, tipunin ninyo nang ganap ang lahat ng iba pang suplay na kailangan sa digmaan.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames war-preparation as a sober recognition of mortality and political necessity: when ‘Death’ is near, a ruler must ensure disciplined readiness and adequate resources, while implying the grave ethical weight of conflict.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses a king (narēndra) and urges comprehensive military mobilization—arming troops, preparing war-machines, armor, chariots, elephants, and horses, and collecting all needed supplies—because the situation has reached a point where destructive conflict appears unavoidable.