Shloka 40
Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
अस्य गात्राणि वर्धन्ते गणश्ष परिहीयते । अद्य सप्ताष्टदिवसान् डिण्डिको5पि न दृश्यते
asya gātrāṇi vardhante gaṇaś ca parihīyate | adya saptāṣṭa-divasān ḍiṇḍiko 'pi na dṛśyate ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Anggota tubuhnya kian hari kian kuat dan tegap, sedangkan rombongan kita terus menyusut. Dan kini, sudah tujuh atau delapan hari, bahkan Ḍiṇḍika pun tak terlihat.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how moral and strategic momentum can shift: one party’s strength and confidence increase while the other’s unity and numbers decline. It serves as a warning that ignoring signs of weakening resolve and leadership leads to further loss.
Sañjaya reports an observable change in fortunes: a particular figure is becoming physically stronger, whereas their own contingent is shrinking. He also notes that a person named Ḍiṇḍika has been absent for a week or more, suggesting desertion, disappearance, or a troubling lapse in support.