Shloka 13
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
युद्धसारेण वाक्येन असतां सम्मतेन च | नाहं भीषयितुं शक््य: क्षत्रवृत्ते स्थितस्त्वया,“मैं सदा क्षत्रियोचित आचारमें स्थित हूँ। युद्ध ही जिसका सार है तथा दुष्ट पुरुष ही जिसे आदर देते हैं; ऐसे कटुवाक्यसे तुम मुझे डरा नहीं सकते
yuddhasāreṇa vākyena asatāṁ sammatena ca | nāhaṁ bhīṣayituṁ śakyaḥ kṣatravṛtte sthitas tvayā ||
Sañjaya said: “By harsh words whose very essence is war, and which are approved only by the wicked, you cannot frighten me. I stand firm in the conduct proper to a kṣatriya.”
सयजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts righteous warrior-discipline with mere belligerent talk: intimidation through cruel, war-obsessed speech—valued by the unrighteous—cannot shake one who is established in kṣatriya-dharma and inner steadiness.
In the Drona Parva’s tense war setting, Sañjaya reports a defiant response: the speaker declares that threatening, harsh words will not cause fear because he remains grounded in the proper code of a warrior.