Shloka 14
सहदेव–सात्यकि संवादः
Sahadeva and Satyaki on resolve after failed conciliation
काशिराजं च विक्रान्तं धृष्टकेतुं च चेदिपम् । मांसशोणित भभन्मर्त्य: प्रतियुध्येत को युधि
Kāśirājaṁ ca vikrāntaṁ Dhṛṣṭaketuṁ ca Cedi-pam | māṁsa-śoṇita-bhāraṁ martyāḥ pratiyudhyeta ko yudhi, Keśava ||
قال ناكولا: «يا كيشافا، من بين البشر الفانين من يختار أن يقاتل في ساحة الوغى—لا ليجني إلا أن يكدّس على جسده عبءَ اللحم والدم—حين يواجه أبطالًا مثل ملك كاشي الباسل ودهريشتاكيتو، سيد التشيديّين؟»
नकुल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a stark image—‘adding flesh and blood to one’s body’—to stress the futility and self-destruction of choosing an unjust or hopeless fight against righteous, well-supported warriors; it underscores prudent judgment within kṣatriya-dharma.
In Udyoga Parva, as war becomes imminent, Nakula speaks to Kṛṣṇa (Keśava), asserting the overwhelming strength of the Pāṇḍava side by naming key allied kings and warriors, implying that opposing them in battle would be reckless.