Shloka 42
Chapter 47: Krauñca-vyūha Deployment and Conch-Signals
Kaurava–Pāṇḍava Readiness
भीष्मपर्वणि तु द्विचत्वारिंशोडध्याय:
atattvāṁ klībavad vākyaṁ bravīmi kurunandana | bhṛto 'smy arthena kauravya yuddhād anyat kim icchasi ||
Sañjaya said: “O joy of the Kurus, I speak words unworthy—like those of a coward. O son of Kuru, I have been maintained by the Kauravas with their wealth; therefore, apart from fighting on their side, what else do you want me to do? Tell me.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between personal conscience and obligations created by patronage: being materially supported can bind one to a side in conflict, even when one feels the stance is morally weak or ‘unworthy’.
Sanjaya reports a speaker’s admission of reluctant, self-deprecating speech and explains his constraint: since the Kauravas have maintained him, he sees no option but to fight for them, asking what alternative is expected.