Shloka 36
शमीवृक्षस्थायुधप्रकाशनम् / Revelation and Identification of the Weapons on the Śamī Tree
एक: पुत्रो विराटस्य शून्ये संनिहित: पुरे । स एष किल निर्यातो बालभावान्न पौरुषात्,“विराटके सूने नगरमें उनका एक ही पुत्र देख-रेखके लिये रह गया था; सो यह बचपन (मूर्खता) के कारण हमारा सामना करनेके लिये चला आया, अपने पुरुषार्थसे प्रेरित होकर नहीं
ekaḥ putro virāṭasya śūnye saṁnihitaḥ pure | sa eṣa kila niryāto bālabhāvān na pauruṣāt ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “Sa lungsod na ngayo’y halos iniwan at naging tahimik, iisang anak na lalaki ni Virāṭa ang naiwan upang magbantay. At ang kabataang ito, wari’y lumabas upang harapin tayo—hindi dahil sa tunay na tapang ng isang lalaki, kundi dahil sa kabataan at kawalan ng hinog na pag-iisip.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts immature impulsiveness (bālabhāva) with true courage grounded in judgment (pauruṣa). It implies that ethical action in conflict requires discernment and responsibility, not mere rash display.
With Virāṭa’s city largely emptied, only one of his sons remains on guard. That prince comes out to face the approaching opponents, but the narrator frames his action as arising from youthful folly rather than deliberate valor.