Shloka 42
Chapter 47: Krauñca-vyūha Deployment and Conch-Signals
Kaurava–Pāṇḍava Readiness
भीष्मपर्वणि तु द्विचत्वारिंशोडध्याय:
atattvāṁ klībavad vākyaṁ bravīmi kurunandana | bhṛto 'smy arthena kauravya yuddhād anyat kim icchasi ||
قال سنجيا: «يا بهجة آل كورو، إني أنطق اليوم بكلامٍ لا يليق—ككلام الجبان. يا ابن كورو، لقد أعالني الكورافا بأموالهم؛ فبعد القتال في صفّهم، ماذا تريدني أن أفعل غير ذلك؟ قل لي.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between personal conscience and obligations created by patronage: being materially supported can bind one to a side in conflict, even when one feels the stance is morally weak or ‘unworthy’.
Sanjaya reports a speaker’s admission of reluctant, self-deprecating speech and explains his constraint: since the Kauravas have maintained him, he sees no option but to fight for them, asking what alternative is expected.