Shloka 72
Chapter 47: Krauñca-vyūha Deployment and Conch-Signals
Kaurava–Pāṇḍava Readiness
तेषामर्थ महाराज योद्धव्यमिति मे मतिः । अतत्त्वां क्लीबवद् ब्रूयां युद्धादन््यत् किमिच्छसि
teṣām artha mahārāja yoddhavyam iti me matiḥ | atattvāṁ klībavad brūyāṁ yuddhād anyat kim icchasi ||
O great king, my settled judgment is that I must fight for their sake. Therefore, I ask you—almost like a coward—what else do you want from me, apart from assistance in this war?
कृप उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds kṣatriya-dharma and loyalty: once one’s conviction is set to fight for one’s side, asking for alternatives is framed as cowardice or self-abasement. It highlights the ethical pressure to stand by one’s duty and chosen allegiance in wartime.
Kṛpa addresses the king (Mahārāja), declaring his firm decision to fight for ‘them’ (his party/allies). He then challenges the king by asking what further help could be expected from him beyond participation in the war, characterizing such questioning as ‘like a coward’.