Shloka 10
Śikhaṇḍin’s Transformation, Daśārṇa Verification, and Kubera’s Conditional Curse
Udyoga Parva 193
अपैतु ते मनस्तापो यथा सत्य ब्रवीम्यहम् । हन्यामेकरथेनैव वासुदेवसहायवान्
apaitu te manastāpo yathā satya bravīmy aham | hanyām ekarathenaiva vāsudevasahāyavān ||
Arjuna thưa: “Xin cho nỗi ưu phiền trong lòng đại vương lắng xuống; chớ nên sầu não. Ta sẽ nói lời chân thật—xin hãy nghe. Được Vāsudeva trợ lực, chỉ với một cỗ chiến xa, ta cũng có thể tiêu diệt đạo quân đối địch.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links ethical speech and inner steadiness: Yudhiṣṭhira first urges the removal of mental distress, then grounds his claim in satya (truth). It also highlights that true strength is not merely personal prowess but is completed by right support—here, Vāsudeva as divine ally—suggesting that confidence should be anchored in dharma and truthful intention rather than panic.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations and preparations, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses another party (contextually, a listener troubled or hesitant) and reassures them. He declares that he will speak truthfully and asserts that, with Kṛṣṇa’s assistance, even a single chariot would suffice to destroy the opposing force—an emphatic statement of resolve meant to dispel fear and strengthen morale.