Shloka 57
दुर्योधन–द्रोणसंवादः
Arjuna-vīrya-prasaṃśā and renewed battle formation
यद्येवं वक्ष्यससे भूयो ममाप्रियमिह द्विज । ततस्ते खड्गमुद्यम्य जिद्लां छेत्स्यामि दुर्मते,“दुर्बुद्धि ब्राह्मण! यदि यहाँ पुनः इस प्रकार मुझे अप्रिय लगनेवाली बात बोलोगे तो मैं अपनी तलवार उठाकर तुम्हारी जीभ काट लूँगा
yady evaṁ vakṣyase bhūyo mamāpriyam iha dvija | tatas te khaḍgam udyamya jihvāṁ chetsyāmi durmate ||
Sañjaya said: “If, O brāhmaṇa, you again speak here words that are displeasing to me, then I will raise my sword and cut off your tongue, you wicked-minded one.” The line conveys how anger and wounded pride can drive a person to threaten violence even against a brāhmaṇa, revealing a sharp ethical collapse amid the pressures of war and harsh speech.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of uncontrolled anger: harsh or disagreeable speech can provoke threats of violence, but dharma requires restraint—especially in speech and in one’s treatment of a brāhmaṇa. It implicitly warns that losing self-control in conflict leads to adharma.
Sañjaya reports a moment of intense irritation in which someone addresses a brāhmaṇa and threatens to cut off his tongue with a sword if he repeats displeasing words. The scene underscores the brutal emotional climate surrounding the war and the volatility of counsel and commentary.