Shloka 12
बभ्रुवाहन-धनंजययोः संग्रामः
Babhruvāhana and Dhanaṃjaya’s engagement at Maṇipūra
ततोडन्यथा कृच्छूगता भविष्यथ मयार्दिता: । एवमुकक््त्वा तु तान् वीरान् युयुधे कुरुपुड्रव:
tato ’nyathā kṛcchragatā bhaviṣyatha mayārditāḥ | evam uktvā tu tān vīrān yuyudhe kuru-puṅgavaḥ ||
Lalu ia menyatakan, “Jika kalian bertindak sebaliknya, kalian akan terjerumus ke dalam kesusahan oleh seranganku.” Setelah berkata demikian kepada para pahlawan itu, sang terkemuka di antara kaum Kuru pun bertempur melawan mereka.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores a kṣatriya-style ethic of accountability: refusal to comply with a rightful command or challenge brings tangible consequences. Speech is not merely rhetoric; it is immediately matched by action, emphasizing responsibility and resolve.
A leading Kuru warrior warns the opposing heroes that if they choose a contrary course, he will force them into hardship. After delivering this ultimatum, he proceeds to fight them, turning the warning into immediate combat.