Shloka 88
Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
पराजितो$सि द्यूतेन कृष्णा चानायिता सभाम् | शक््यो<मर्षो मनुष्येण कर्तु पुरुषमानिना
parājito'si dyūtena kṛṣṇā cānāyitā sabhām | śakyo'marṣo manuṣyeṇa kartu puruṣamāninā ||
तुम जूए में पराजित हुए और कृष्णा (द्रौपदी) को सभा में घसीटकर लाया गया। फिर भी जो अपने को पुरुष मानता है, वह मनुष्य ऐसे अपमान को सहकर वश में कर सकता है।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts outward humiliation with inner strength: even after catastrophic dishonor—defeat at dice and Draupadī’s being dragged into the court—a truly self-possessed person can restrain rage, endure disgrace, and choose disciplined action rather than impulsive retaliation.
Sañjaya recalls the pivotal outrage of the dice-game and the public violation of Draupadī’s dignity in the sabhā, using it as a moral pressure-point: the listener is reminded of past defeat and insult, and challenged on whether he can bear it with the steadiness expected of one who claims manly valor.