ARJUNA MOTIVATES YUDHISHTHIRA

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA - SABHA PARVA - RAAJASOOYA AARAMBHA (UPA) PARVA - CHAPTER 16 - ARJUNA MOTIVATES YUDHISHTHIRA

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Desirous of the imperial dignity (Samraada in Sanskrit) but acting from selfish motives and relying upon courage alone, how, O (Sri) Krishna, can I send You (to Jaraasandha)? Both Bhima and Arjuna, I regard as my eyes, and You, O Janaardana (Sri Krishna) as my mind. How shall I live, deprived of my eyes and mind. Yama himself cannot vanquish in battle the mighty army of Jaraasandha that is filled, besides, with terrible valour. What valour can You exhibit against it? This affair that promises to terminate otherwise may lead to great harm. It is my opinion, therefore, that the proposed task should not be undertaken. Listen, O (Sri) Krishna, to what I for one think. O Janaardana (Sri Krishna), desisting from this act seems to me to be beneficial. My heart today is pained. The Raajasooya appears to me difficult of accomplishment.’”

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘Paarthaa (Arjuna) who had obtained that excellent of bows and that couple of inexhaustible arrow baskets, that chariot with that banner, and also that Sabha, now addressed Yudhishthira and said, ‘I have obtained, O king, a bow, weapons, arrows, energy (Veerya in Sanskrit), allies, territory, fame and strength. Those are always difficult of acquisition, however much they may be desired. Learned men of repute (Saadhu in Sanskrit) always praise in good society nobleness of descent (Kula in Sanskrit). But nothing is equal to might. Indeed, O monarch (Yudhishthira), there is nothing I like more than prowess. Born in a race noted for its valour, one that is without valour is scarcely worthy of regard. One, however, possessed of valour, that is born in a race not noted for it, is much superior to the former. He, O king, is a Kshatriya in everything who increases his fame and possessions by the subjugation of his enemies. He that is possessed of valour, though empty of all (other) merits (Guna in Sanskrit), will vanquish his enemies. One, however, that is without valour, though possessed of every (other) merit (Guna in Sanskrit), can scarcely accomplish anything. Every merit exists by the side of valour in an early state. Concentration of attention, effort and destiny exist as the three causes of victory. One, however, that is possessed of valour does not yet deserve success if he acts carelessly. It is for this that an enemy endued with strength sometimes suffers death at the hands of his enemies. As meanness overtakes the weak, so foolishness sometimes overtakes the strong. A king, therefore, that is desirous of victory, should avoid both these causes of destruction. If, for the purpose of our yagna, we seek to slay Jaraasandha and rescue the kings kept by him for a cruel purpose, there is no higher act which we could employ ourselves in. If, however, we do not undertake the task, the world will always think us incompetent. We have certainly the competence (Guna in Sanskrit), O king! Why should you, therefore, regard us as incompetent? Those that have become Munis desirous of achieving peace of souls, obtain saffron robes (Kaashaayam in Sanskrit) with ease. So, if we vanquish the enemy, the imperial dignity (Saamraajyam in Sanskrit) will easily be ours. We shall, therefore fight the enemy.’”