Shloka 103
Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
प्राच्यै: प्रतीच्यैरथ दाक्षिणात्यै- रुदीच्यकाम्बोजशकै: खशैश्न । शाल्वै: समत्स्यै: कुरुमध्यदेश्यै- म्लेच्छै: पुलिन्दैर्द्रविडान्ध्रकाउचयै:,'जैसे देवता स्वर्गकी रक्षा करते हैं, उसी प्रकार पूर्व, पश्चिम, दक्षिण और उत्तर दिशाओंके नरेश तथा काम्बोज, शक, खश, शास्त्र, मत्स्य, कुरु और मध्यप्रदेशके सैनिक एवं म्लेच्छ, पुलिन्द, द्रविड़, आन्ध और कांचीदेशीय योद्धा जिस सेनाकी रक्षा करते हैं, जो देवताओंकी सेनाके समान दुर्धर्ष एवं संगठित है, कौरवराजकी (समुद्रतुल्य) उस सेनाको क्या तुम कूपमण्डूककी भाँति अच्छी तरह समझ नहीं पाते?
sañjaya uvāca |
prācyaiḥ pratīcyair atha dākṣiṇātyair
udīcyakāmbojaśakaiḥ khaśaiś ca |
śālvaiḥ samatsyaiḥ kurumadhyadeśyaiḥ
mlecchaiḥ pulindair draviḍāndhrakāñcyaiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “The Kaurava host is guarded on every side—by kings of the East, West, South, and North; by the Kāmbojas, Śakas, and Khaśas; by the Śālvas together with the Matsyas; by the Kurus and the warriors of the Madhyadeśa; and by frontier peoples such as the Mlecchas and Pulindas, as well as the Draviḍas, Āndhras, and men of Kāñcī. Thus protected like heaven is protected by the gods, that army—hard to assail and well-knit like the hosts of the devas—should not be underestimated.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores strategic realism: strength in war arises from broad alliances and disciplined organization. Ethically, it cautions against arrogance or underestimation of an opponent, emphasizing sober assessment before choosing a course of action.
Sañjaya is describing the vast, multi-regional composition of the Kaurava forces, listing allied peoples from all directions to convey that the Kaurava army is well-protected, cohesive, and difficult to defeat.