Mahabharata — Virata Parva, 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 ||
ارجن نے کہا—اپنی عظیم شہرت اور وسیع ناموری چھوڑ کر، جنگ سے منہ موڑ کر تم کیوں بھاگ رہے ہو؟ آج تمہارے فتح کے نقارے پہلے کی طرح نہیں بج رہے۔ جس مہاراج یُدھِشٹھِر کو تم نے راج سے معزول کیا تھا، اسی کے حکم کا پابند میں، تیسرے پانڈو کے طور پر، جنگ میں کھڑا ہوں۔ لہٰذا پلٹ کر میرا سامنا کرو؛ بادشاہ کو زیبا جو آداب ہیں انہیں یاد رکھو۔
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.
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