Shloka 9
Chapter 15: Counsel on Initiative vs. Renunciation in the Rajasuya Project (सभापर्व, अध्याय १५)
त्वत्सकाशाच्च रामाच्च भीमसेनाच्च माधव । अर्जुनाद् वा महाबाहो हन्तुं शक्यो न वेति वै । एवं जाननू् हि वार्ष्णेय विमृशामि पुन: पुन:,महाबाहु माधव! आपसे, बलरामजीसे, भीमसेनसे अथवा अर्जुनसे वह मारा जा सकता है या नहीं? वार्ष्णेय! (आपकी शक्ति अनन्त है,) यह जानते हुए भी मैं बार-बार इसी बातपर विचार करता रहता हूँ
tvatsakāśāc ca rāmāc ca bhīmasenāc ca mādhava | arjunād vā mahābāho hantuṁ śakyo na veti vai || evaṁ jānann hi vārṣṇeya vimṛśāmi punaḥ punaḥ | mahābāho mādhava ||
尤提士提罗说道：“哦摩陀婆（Mādhava），哦大臂者——他究竟能否被杀？是由你，或由罗摩（婆罗罗摩），或由毗摩塞那，或由阿周那来诛灭他？哦瓦尔什涅耶（Vārṣṇeya），纵然我知你的威力无量，我仍一次又一次反复权衡此事。”
युधिछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dhārmic hesitation and responsible decision-making: even when power is available, a righteous ruler repeatedly examines whether violence is necessary, possible, and morally justified, seeking counsel rather than acting from impulse.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Kṛṣṇa (Mādhava/Vārṣṇeya), asking whether a particular adversary can be killed by Kṛṣṇa, Balarāma, Bhīma, or Arjuna. Despite knowing Kṛṣṇa’s extraordinary capability, he continues to deliberate, reflecting his cautious, ethical temperament.