Shloka 5
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 42 — Duryodhana’s counsel to Bhīṣma on ajñātavāsa risk and raid strategy
शलभा यत्र सौवर्णास्तपनीयवि भूषिता: । सुवर्णमणिचित्रं च कस्यैतद् धनुरुत्तमम्,जिसपर तप्त-सुवर्णभूषित मीनेके फतिंगे शोभा पा रहे हैं तथा जो उत्तम वर्णकी मणियोंसे जटित होनेके कारण विचित्र दिखायी देता है, यह उत्तम धनुष किसका है?
śalabhā yatra sauvarṇās tapanīyavibhūṣitāḥ | suvarṇamaṇicitram ca kasyaitad dhanur uttamam ||
اُتّرا نے کہا—جس کمان پر تپت سونے سے آراستہ سنہری شلَبھ (فَتِنگے) جگمگا رہے ہیں، اور جو سونے اور عمدہ جواہرات کی جڑائی سے عجیب و دلکش دکھائی دیتی ہے—وہ بہترین کمان کس کی ہے؟
उत्तर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights discernment and respectful inquiry: before taking up a weapon, one should know its ownership and significance. In the Virata narrative, this also underscores that power and martial skill are tied to responsibility and rightful use, not mere attraction to splendor.
Prince Uttara, seeing a richly ornamented, gem-inlaid bow among stored weapons, asks whose superb bow it is. This question occurs in the Virata Parva context where concealed arms are being identified, foreshadowing the revelation of the Pandavas’ martial resources.