Shloka 3
Sañjaya’s Knowledge of Keśava and the Discipline of Indriya-nigraha (संजयस्य केशवज्ञानम्—इन्द्रियनिग्रह-उपदेशः)
सापद्ववं कौरवेषु पाण्डवानां सुसम्मतम् । सारासारबल ज्ञातुं तेज:पुञज्जावभासितम्
sāpadvavaṁ kauraveṣu pāṇḍavānāṁ susammatam | sārāsārabala jñātuṁ tejaḥpuñjāvabhāsitam ||
سنجے نے کہا—کوروؤں کے درمیان پانڈوؤں کی حیثیت خوب منظور شدہ اور مضبوط تھی۔ اور یہ جانچنے کے لیے کہ کون سا بَل سَار ہے اور کون سا کھوکھلا، تجلّی کا ایک روشن پُنج نمودار ہوا اور بھڑک اٹھا۔
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights discernment (viveka) in assessing power: true strength is not merely numerical or outward show, but the ‘essence’ (sāra) that stands the test of dharma and resolve; hollow strength (asāra) is exposed when confronted by genuine tejas.
Sañjaya reports a moment in the Udyoga Parva where the Pāṇḍavas’ stance is seen as sound and accepted, and a striking manifestation of brilliance (‘a mass of splendour’) appears—suggesting the emergence or presence of a formidable, clarifying power that reveals the real balance of strength between the sides.