Shloka 45
अतिकायवधः
The Slaying of Atikāya
रथेस्थितोहंशरचापपाणिर्नप्राकृतंकञ्चनयोधयामि ।यस्यास्तिकश्चिद्व्यवसाययुक्तोददातुमेक्षिप्रमिहाद्ययुद्धम् ।।।।
rathesthito 'haṃ śara-cāpa-pāṇir na prākṛtaṃ kañcana yodhayāmi | yasyāsti kaścid vyavasāya-yukto dadātu me kṣipram ihādya yuddham || 6.71.45 ||
«Assis sur mon char, l’arc et les flèches en main, je ne combats pas des guerriers ordinaires. S’il est ici quelqu’un de ferme résolution et de valeur, qu’il m’accorde sans tarder le combat aujourd’hui.»
"I am with a bow and arrow seated in the chariot. Indeed, I am not strong in fighting with common warriors. Whoever is interested to fight now can come speedily to fight with me."
FAQs
The verse presents a warrior’s claim to regulated combat (seeking a worthy opponent), but dharma requires that such claims be aligned with a just cause; boasting and contempt for others undermines satya-like integrity.
Atikāya publicly challenges the opposing side, declaring he will not fight ‘ordinary’ fighters and calling for a determined champion to face him.
Valor and self-confidence are asserted, but the dominant trait is pride (garva), expressed as disdain for common warriors.