Shloka 93
Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
लोहाभिसारो निर्वेत्त: कुरुक्षेत्रमकर्दमम् । पुष्टास्तेडश्वा भूता योधा: श्वो युद्धयस्व सकेशव:
sañjaya uvāca | lohābhisāro nirvṛttaḥ kurukṣetram akardamam | puṣṭās te 'śvā bhūtā yodhāḥ śvo yudhyasva sa-keśavaḥ ||
সঞ্জয় বললেন— লৌহ অস্ত্র-শস্ত্রের প্রস্তুতি সম্পন্ন হয়েছে। কুরুক্ষেত্র এখন কাদামুক্ত, ভূমি শুকিয়ে গেছে। তোমার ঘোড়াগুলি হৃষ্ট-পুষ্ট, আর যোদ্ধাদেরও যথাযথ ভরণ-পোষণ হয়েছে; অতএব আগামীকাল ভোরে কেশবকে সঙ্গে নিয়ে এসে যুদ্ধ করো।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the kṣatriya-world emphasis on readiness and responsibility: once resources, terrain, and troops are prepared and sustained, one should not delay the appointed duty. It also highlights the strategic and moral weight of acting with proper support—here, going to battle ‘with Keśava,’ implying counsel, legitimacy, and steadiness in action.
Sanjaya reports that logistical war preparations are complete: weapons are readied, the battlefield has dried and become passable, horses are strong, and soldiers are well provided for. On that basis, he urges that the addressee should come the next morning with Krishna and commence the battle.