Shloka 35
Book 10, Adhyāya 12: Aśvatthāmā’s Request for the Cakra and the Brahmaśiras Context
भारताचार्यपुत्रस्त्वं मानित: सर्वयादवै: । चक्रेण रथिनां श्रेष्ठ क॑ नु तात युयुत्ससे
bharatācārya-putras tvaṁ mānitaḥ sarva-yādavaiḥ | cakreṇa rathināṁ śreṣṭha kaṁ nu tāta yuyutsase ||
毗湿摩波耶那说道：“孩子，你是婆罗多一族导师之子，诸耶陀婆皆敬重于你。车战之最啊，告诉我：执此神轮，你如今欲与谁交战？”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames warfare within ethical scrutiny: social honor, lineage, and the respect one has received should restrain impulsive violence. Before striking with a powerful weapon, one must ask whether the intended opponent and the act itself align with dharma and gratitude.
Vaiśampāyana narrates a pointed address to a renowned chariot-warrior holding a discus. He reminds him that he is the preceptor’s son in the Bharata line and has been honored by the Yādavas, then challenges him to state whom he intends to fight—implying that such aggression is questionable in the present context.