Shloka 7
अर्जुन–उलूपीसंवादः
Arjuna and Ulūpī: Explanation of Śānti and the Maṇipūra Resolution
अदत्तानुनयो युद्धे यदि त्वं पितृभिर्मम । करिष्यामि तवातिथ्यं प्रहर प्रहहामि च
adattānunayo yuddhe yadi tvaṃ pitṛbhir mama | kariṣyāmi tavātithyaṃ prahara prahariṣyāmi ca ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana sprach: „Wenn meine Väter und Vorväter dir im Kampf niemals den gebührenden Empfang und die gebührende Ehre erwiesen haben, so will ich diesen Mangel heute ausgleichen. Auf diesem Schlachtfeld werde ich dir die angemessene ‚Gastfreundschaft‘ erweisen, die einem Gast zusteht: Triff mich zuerst, und dann werde ich dich im Gegenschlag treffen.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames combat as a form of reciprocal honor: even in war, a kṣatriya seeks to uphold dignity, repay perceived past neglect, and follow a rule-like fairness—inviting the opponent to strike first before responding.
A warrior addresses his opponent on the battlefield, saying that if his ancestors failed to honor the opponent properly, he will ‘complete’ that duty now by offering fitting martial reception—asking the opponent to attack first, after which he will retaliate.