Shloka 28
अध्याय ५०: उत्तरेण सह अर्जुनस्य रथप्रयाणे ध्वजचिह्नैः कौरवसेनानिर्देशः
Arjuna directs Uttara by identifying Kaurava commanders through banners
युध्यन्तां कामतो योधा नाहं योत्स्ये धनंजयम् । मत्स्यो हास्माभिरायो ध्यो यद्यागच्छेद् गवां पदम्,अथवा अन्य योद्धाओंकी इच्छा हो, तो वे युद्ध कर सकते हैं, किंतु मैं अर्जुनके साथ नहीं लड़ूँगा। हमें तो मत्स्यनरेशसे युद्ध करना है। यदि वे इस गोष्ठपर आ जाय॑ँ, तो मैं उनके साथ युद्ध कर सकता हूँ
yudhyantāṁ kāmato yodhā nāhaṁ yotsye dhanañjayam | matsyo hāsmābhir āyo dhyo yady āgacched gavāṁ padam, athavā anyaḥ ||
Kripa said: “Let the warriors fight if they wish; I will not engage Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) in battle. Our quarrel is with the king of Matsya. If he comes to the cattle-station (the cow-pen/encampment), then I can fight him—or anyone else.”
कृप उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior’s ethical restraint and realism: one should choose a rightful and appropriate opponent, acknowledging superior prowess and avoiding a fight that is neither prudent nor aligned with the stated objective.
During the cattle-raid episode in the Virāṭa kingdom, Kṛpa declares that others may fight if they wish, but he personally will not fight Arjuna (Dhanañjaya). He frames the intended conflict as being with the Matsya king and says he will fight if the Matsya ruler comes to the cattle-station.