Shloka 18
तथा च बलवान् राजा जरासंधो दुरासद: । समरे समरश्लाधिन् न त्वया सदृशो5भवत्,'युद्धकी श्लाघा रखनेवाले वीर! यद्यपि राजा जरासंध दुर्जय एवं बलवान् था, तथापि वह रणभूमिमें तुम्हारी समानता न कर सका
tathā ca balavān rājā jarāsandho durāsadaḥ | samare samarāślāghin na tvayā sadṛśo 'bhavat ||
سنجے نے کہا— اے جنگ پر فخر کرنے والے بہادر! اگرچہ راجا جراسندھ طاقتور اور ناقابلِ تسخیر تھا، پھر بھی میدانِ کارزار میں وہ تمہارے برابر ثابت نہ ہو سکا۔
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores a classical epic ethic of measuring true prowess by deeds in battle rather than reputation: even a famed, formidable king like Jarāsandha is declared inferior when compared to the addressed warrior. It highlights how renown must be tested against actual conduct and capability in decisive moments.
Sañjaya, narrating events to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, praises the addressed warrior’s battlefield superiority by invoking Jarāsandha as a benchmark of strength and difficulty to defeat, then stating that even Jarāsandha could not match him in war.