Shloka 15
विराटसभायां पाण्डवानां प्रवेशः — Arjuna’s Encomium of Yudhiṣṭhira in Virāṭa’s Court
अजुन उवाच विहाय कीर्ति विपुलं यशश्नव युद्धात् परावृत्य पलायसे किम् । न तेड्य तूर्याणि समाहतानि तथैव राज्यादवरोपितस्य
arjuna uvāca vihāya kīrtiṁ vipulaṁ yaśas ca nava yuddhāt parāvṛtya palāyase kim | na te ’dya tūryāṇi samāhatāni tathaiva rājād avaropitasya ||
Wika ni Arjuna: “Tinalikuran mo ang dakilang karangalan at malawak na katanyagan—bakit ka tumatalikod sa labanan at tumatakas? Ngayon, hindi na tinutugtog gaya ng dati ang mga tambol ng iyong tagumpay. Nakatindig ako rito upang makipagdigma bilang ikatlo sa mga Pāṇḍava, masunurin sa utos ni Haring Yudhiṣṭhira—yaong minsan mong inalis sa kanyang kaharian. Kaya magbalik ka at iharap ang iyong mukha upang harapin ako; alalahanin mo ang asal na nararapat sa isang hari.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores kṣatriya-dharma: a ruler and warrior must uphold courage, face battle without disgraceful flight, and maintain conduct worthy of kingship; honor (kīrti/yaśas) is tied to steadfastness and responsibility.
Arjuna taunts and challenges a son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra who is retreating from combat, pointing out that the opponent’s victory-drums are silent and declaring himself ready to fight as a Pāṇḍava serving King Yudhiṣṭhira, whom the Kauravas had earlier deposed.