Shloka 31
उलूकदूतवाक्यम् / Ulūka’s Message to the Pāṇḍavas
तथा विराटनगरे कुरुभि: सह संगरे । युध्यतो बहुभिस्तत्र क: सहायो5भवन्मम,“इसी प्रकार विराटनगरमें जब कौरवोंके साथ होनेवाले संग्राममें मैं अकेला ही बहुत-से वीरोंके साथ युद्ध कर रहा था, उस समय मेरा सहायक कौन था?
tathā virāṭanagare kurubhiḥ saha saṅgare | yudhyato bahubhis tatra kaḥ sahāyo ’bhavan mama ||
“And likewise, in the city of Virāṭa, when a battle arose with the Kurus, as I fought there against many warriors while standing alone—who, at that time, was my helper?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a moral reflection: in moments of overwhelming odds, real protection is not merely external manpower but the dependable support of a true ally—implicitly pointing to the sustaining power of righteous alignment and higher guidance.
The speaker recalls the episode of conflict at Virāṭa’s city involving the Kurus, emphasizing that he fought many opponents while effectively alone, and asks rhetorically who supported him then—setting up the identification of the decisive helper.