Shloka 72
Chapter 47: Krauñca-vyūha Deployment and Conch-Signals
Kaurava–Pāṇḍava Readiness
तेषामर्थ महाराज योद्धव्यमिति मे मतिः । अतत्त्वां क्लीबवद् ब्रूयां युद्धादन््यत् किमिच्छसि,महाराज! मैं निश्चय कर चुका हूँ कि मुझे उन्हींके लिये युद्ध करना है; अतः तुमसे नपुंसककी तरह पूछ रहा हूँ कि तुम युद्धसम्बन्धी सहयोगको छोड़कर मुझसे और क्या चाहते हो?
teṣām artha mahārāja yoddhavyam iti me matiḥ | atattvāṁ klībavad brūyāṁ yuddhād anyat kim icchasi ||
কৃপ বললেন—“মহারাজ! আমার স্থির মত—তাদেরই জন্য আমাকে যুদ্ধ করতে হবে। তাই আমি যেন ভীরুর মতো তোমাকে জিজ্ঞেস করছি—যুদ্ধের সহায়তা ছাড়া তুমি আমার কাছে আর কী চাও?”
कृप उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds kṣatriya-dharma and loyalty: once one’s conviction is set to fight for one’s side, asking for alternatives is framed as cowardice or self-abasement. It highlights the ethical pressure to stand by one’s duty and chosen allegiance in wartime.
Kṛpa addresses the king (Mahārāja), declaring his firm decision to fight for ‘them’ (his party/allies). He then challenges the king by asking what further help could be expected from him beyond participation in the war, characterizing such questioning as ‘like a coward’.