Shloka 64
Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
संनाहं संयुगे कर्तु कंसभृत्ये विशेषत: । “मेरे-जैसे राजाको तुम्हारे साथ, विशेषतः कंसके एक सेवकके साथ लड़नेके लिये कवच धारण करके युद्धभूमिमें उतरना किसी तरह उचित नहीं है” ।।
sannāhaṃ saṃyuge kartuṃ kaṃsabhṛtye viśeṣataḥ |
Sañjaya berkata: “Tidak patut bagi seorang raja sepertiku mengenakan zirah dan turun ke gelanggang perang—terlebih lagi bila lawannya hanyalah seorang pelayan Kaṃsa. Dan lagi, si Tūbaraka itu, seorang bocah, Bahlaśin, yang tak berilmu…”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes kṣatriya propriety: a ruler should weigh not only victory but also the ethical and social appropriateness of combat. Fighting a clearly ‘unworthy’ opponent—here framed as a mere servant—can be seen as beneath royal dignity and contrary to dharma.
Sañjaya reports a speaker’s refusal to arm himself and fight, arguing that it is improper for a king to enter battle, particularly against someone identified as Kaṃsa’s servant. The refusal is presented as a principled stance grounded in status, honor, and dharmic decorum.