Shloka 103
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 47 — Arjuna’s Deterrent Declaration
Sañjaya’s Report
खड्गः कोशाज्नि:सरति प्रसन्नो हित्वेव जीर्णामुरगस्त्वचं स्वाम् । ध्वजे वाचो रौद्ररूपा भवन्ति कदा रथो योक्ष्यते ते किरीटिनू
sañjaya uvāca |
khaḍgaḥ kośād niḥsarati prasanno hitveva jīrṇām uragas tvacaṃ svām |
dhvaje vāco raudrarūpā bhavanti kadā ratho yokṣyate te kirīṭin ||
Sañjaya sagte: „Ein heller, glänzender Schwertstahl gleitet aus der Scheide, funkelnd — wie eine Schlange, die ihre abgetragene Haut abgestreift hat und neu erstrahlt. Und von meinem Banner steigen wilde, schreckliche Rufe auf: ‚O Kirīṭin (Arjuna), wann wird dein Wagen zum Kampf angespannt?‘“
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the moral gravity and inevitability felt before war: signs and symbols (weapon, banner) seem to compel action, reflecting how unresolved adharma and failed diplomacy can drive society toward violent duty-bound confrontation.
Sañjaya reports ominous, warlike portents: a sword gleams as it is drawn, likened to a snake shedding its skin, and fierce cries seem to issue from the banner, calling on Arjuna (Kirīṭin) to yoke his chariot for battle.