Shloka 42
Chapter 47: Krauñca-vyūha Deployment and Conch-Signals
Kaurava–Pāṇḍava Readiness
भीष्मपर्वणि तु द्विचत्वारिंशोडध्याय:,भीष्मपर्वमें बयालीसवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ अतत्त्वां क्लीबवद् वाक््यं ब्रवीमि कुरुनन्दन । भृतो<स्म्यर्थेन कौरव्य युद्धादन्यत् किमिच्छसि कुरुनन्दन! इसीलिये आज मैं तुम्हारे सामने नपुंसकके समान वचन बोलता हूँ। कौरव! धृतराष्ट्रके पुत्रोंने धनके द्वारा मेरा भरण-पोषण किया है; इसलिये (तुम्हारे पक्षमें होकर) उनके साथ युद्ध करनेके अतिरिक्त तुम क्या चाहते हो, यह बताओ
atattvāṁ klībavad vākyaṁ bravīmi kurunandana | bhṛto 'smy arthena kauravya yuddhād anyat kim icchasi ||
Sanjaya said: “O joy of the Kurus, I speak words that are not truly worthy—like those of a coward. O son of Kuru, I have been maintained by the Kauravas with their wealth; therefore, apart from fighting on their side, what else do you want me to do? Tell me.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between personal conscience and obligations created by patronage: being materially supported can bind one to a side in conflict, even when one feels the stance is morally weak or ‘unworthy’.
Sanjaya reports a speaker’s admission of reluctant, self-deprecating speech and explains his constraint: since the Kauravas have maintained him, he sees no option but to fight for them, asking what alternative is expected.