Shloka 27
शमीवृक्षस्थायुधप्रकाशनम् / Revelation and Identification of the Weapons on the Śamī Tree
संग्रामे न च कार्य मे गावो गच्छन्तु चापि मे । शून्यं मे नगरं चापि पितुश्चैव बिभेम्यहम्,उत्तर बोला--बृहन्नले! भारी संख्यामें आये हुए कौरव भले ही मत्स्यदेशका सारा धन इच्छानुसार हर ले जाया, स्त्रियाँ अथवा पुरुष जितना चाहें, मेरा उपहास करें तथा मेरी गौएँ भी चली जाया; किंतु इस युद्धमें मेरा कोई काम नहीं है। मेरा नगर सूना पड़ा है। [पिताजी उसकी रक्षाका भार मुझे दे गये थे|। मैं पिताजीसे डरता हूँ [इसलिये यहाँ नहीं ठहर सकता]
saṅgrāme na ca kārya me gāvo gacchantu cāpi me | śūnyaṃ me nagaraṃ cāpi pituś caiva bibhemy aham ||
Aku tidak berkepentingan dalam pertempuran ini; biarlah sapi-sapiku pun dibawa pergi. Kotaku dibiarkan kosong, dan aku pun takut kepada ayahku.”
उत्तर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the collapse of kshatriya resolve under fear: personal safety and anxiety about paternal authority override the duty to protect the realm and its wealth (cattle). It sets up the ethical contrast between avoidance of responsibility and the dharmic expectation of courage and protection.
During the cattle-raid crisis in Matsya, Prince Uttara refuses to engage in battle. He says he has no role in fighting, is willing to let the cattle be taken, notes that the city is left unguarded, and admits fear of his father—revealing panic and reluctance just before the turning point where his charioteer (Bṛhannalā/Arjuna in disguise) will take charge.