Shloka 58
दुर्योधन–द्रोणसंवादः
Arjuna-vīrya-prasaṃśā and renewed battle formation
यच्चापि पाण्डवान् विप्र स्तोतुमिच्छसि संयुगे । भीषयन् सर्वसैन्यानि कौरवेयाणि दुर्मते
yaccāpi pāṇḍavān vipra stotum icchasi saṁyuge | bhīṣayan sarvasainyāni kauraveyāṇi durmate ||
Dan jika, wahai brāhmana, engkau masih hendak memuji para Pāṇḍava di tengah pertempuran—sambil menebar gentar ke segenap bala Kaurava, wahai yang berniat jahat—maka dengarkanlah apa yang berikut ini.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that in wartime, even praise can function as a weapon: words shape morale, fear, and allegiance. Ethical speech is context-sensitive—what seems like admiration may become provocation or psychological intimidation when delivered amid conflict.
Sañjaya addresses a brāhmaṇa interlocutor, remarking that if he intends to praise the Pāṇḍavas during the battle—thereby frightening the Kaurava troops—he is acting with ill intent. The verse sets a confrontational tone, linking laudatory speech with its battlefield consequences.