Shloka 64
Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
संनाहं संयुगे कर्तु कंसभृत्ये विशेषत: । “मेरे-जैसे राजाको तुम्हारे साथ, विशेषतः कंसके एक सेवकके साथ लड़नेके लिये कवच धारण करके युद्धभूमिमें उतरना किसी तरह उचित नहीं है” ।। ६३ है ।। तं च तूबरकं॑ बाल॑ बह्लाशिनमविद्यकम्
sannāhaṃ saṃyuge kartuṃ kaṃsabhṛtye viśeṣataḥ |
Sañjaya said: “To don armor and enter the battlefield to fight is not proper for a king like me—especially when the opponent is merely a servant of Kaṃsa.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes kṣatriya propriety: a ruler should weigh not only victory but also the ethical and social appropriateness of combat. Fighting a clearly ‘unworthy’ opponent—here framed as a mere servant—can be seen as beneath royal dignity and contrary to dharma.
Sañjaya reports a speaker’s refusal to arm himself and fight, arguing that it is improper for a king to enter battle, particularly against someone identified as Kaṃsa’s servant. The refusal is presented as a principled stance grounded in status, honor, and dharmic decorum.