Shloka 54
Pāṇḍava-senā-niryāṇa and Vyūha-vibhāga (पाण्डवसेनानिर्याण तथा व्यूहविभाग)
आत्मवीर्य समाश्रित्य भृत्यवीर्य च कौरव । आह्वयस्व रणे पार्थान् सर्वथा क्षत्रियो भव,“कुरुनन्दन! तू अपने तथा भरणीय सेवकवर्गके बल और पराक्रमका आश्रय लेकर ही कुन्तीके पुत्रोंका युद्धके लिये आह्वान कर। सब प्रकारसे क्षत्रियत्वका परिचय दे
sañjaya uvāca |
ātmavīrya-samāśritya bhṛtyavīrya ca kaurava |
āhvayasva raṇe pārthān sarvathā kṣatriyo bhava ||
Sañjaya said: “O Kaurava, relying upon your own valor and also upon the valor of your dependents and retainers, challenge the sons of Kuntī in battle. In every way, conduct yourself as a kṣatriya—show the full measure of warrior duty.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse urges adherence to kṣatriya-dharma: a ruler-warrior should rely on personal courage and the strength of his forces, and meet opponents openly in battle. Ethically, it frames warfare as a duty-bound public contest of valor rather than covert or hesitant action.
Sañjaya reports counsel directed to a Kaurava leader: to summon the Pāṇḍavas (sons of Kuntī) to battle, drawing confidence from his own prowess and that of his retainers, and to act fully in the role expected of a kṣatriya.