Shloka 30
Śālva Attacks Dvārakā; Pradyumna Leads the Defense
Saubha-vimāna and Māyā-yuddha
किं नु वक्ष्येऽभिसङ्गम्य पितरौ रामकेशवौ । युद्धात्सम्यगपक्रान्त: पृष्टस्तत्रात्मन: क्षमम् ॥ ३० ॥
kiṁ nu vakṣye ’bhisaṅgamya pitarau rāma-keśavau yuddhāt samyag apakrāntaḥ pṛṣṭas tatrātmanaḥ kṣamam
What will I say when I return and meet my fathers, Rāma and Keśava, after simply fleeing the battle? If questioned there, what reply could befit my honor?
Śrī Pradyumna here uses the word pitarau, “fathers,” loosely. Lord Balarāma was of course His uncle.
FAQs
This verse shows a warrior weighing what is “kṣamam” (proper) and feeling accountable to righteous authorities—here, Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa—indicating that even retreat must be justified by dharma.
He acknowledges Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa as superior guardians and moral authorities; in fear and humility he anticipates their judgment as one would a father’s.
Before acting—or stepping back from a duty—one should consider what is truly appropriate and be ready to explain one’s choices to wise mentors, conscience, and higher principles.