Shloka 53
Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
ब्रूयास्त्वं वासुदेवं च पाण्डवानां समीपत: । आत्मार्थ पाण्डवार्थ च यत्ता मां प्रति योधय,उलूक! तुम पाण्डवोंके समीप वासुदेव श्रीकृष्णसे भी कहना--“जनार्दन! अब तुम पूरी तैयारी और तत्परताके साथ अपनी और पाण्डवोंकी भलाईके लिये मेरे साथ युद्ध करो
brūyāstvaṃ vāsudevaṃ ca pāṇḍavānāṃ samīpataḥ | ātmārthaṃ pāṇḍavārthaṃ ca yattā māṃ prati yodhaya, ulūka ||
Sañjaya said: “You should also speak to Vāsudeva in the presence of the Pāṇḍavas: ‘O Janārdana, now, fully prepared and resolute, fight against me—for your own good and for the good of the Pāṇḍavas as well, O Ulūka.’”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse illustrates how rhetoric can recast impending violence as ‘benefit’ (ātmārtha, pāṇḍavārtha), revealing the ethical tension between proclaimed welfare and the reality of war. It also highlights the moment when persuasion gives way to resolve and confrontation.
Sañjaya reports instructions for Ulūka to address Kṛṣṇa (Vāsudeva/Janārdana) in front of the Pāṇḍavas, delivering a provocative call to battle: be fully prepared and fight against the speaker, ostensibly for the good of all concerned.