Shloka 946
Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
एवं कत्थसि कौन्तेय अकत्थन् पुरुषो भव | “अभी युद्धमें भीष्मजीके साथ मुठभेड़ किये बिना तुम क्यों अपनी झूठी प्रशंसा करते हो? कुन्तीनन्दन! जैसे कोई शक्तिहीन एवं मन्दबुद्धि पुरुष गन्धमादन पर्वतपर चढ़ना चाहता हो
evaṁ katthasi kaunteya akatthan puruṣo bhava |
Sanjaya berkata: “Wahai putra Kunti, mengapa engkau menyombong demikian? Jangan memuji diri; jadilah lelaki sejati. Tanpa sekalipun berhadapan dengan Bhishma di medan perang, mengapa engkau berbicara seolah-olah keberanianmu telah terbukti? Seperti orang lemah dan dungu yang ingin mendaki Gunung Gandhamadana, demikian pula engkau membanggakan diri secara palsu. Jangan bermegah dengan dusta; jadilah lelaki.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse censures empty self-praise and urges integrity: true valor is shown through deeds and restraint, not through boastful speech—especially in the grave context of impending war.
Sanjaya rebukes ‘Kaunteya’ for boasting, implying that he has not yet demonstrated his claims in direct confrontation (notably against Bhishma) and therefore should abandon vain talk and act with genuine courage.