Shloka 15
Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
नाहं भीषयितुं शक््यो वाड्मात्रेण तु केवलम् । स मां निहन्यात् संग्रामे यो मां कुर्यान्निरायुधम्,“मुझे केवल बातें बनाकर नहीं डराया जा सकता। संग्राममें जो मुझे शस्त्रहीन कर दे, वही मेरा वध कर सकता है
nāhaṃ bhīṣayituṃ śakyo vāg-mātreṇa tu kevalam | sa māṃ nihanyāt saṅgrāme yo māṃ kuryān nirāyudham ||
Sañjaya said: “I cannot be frightened by mere words alone. In battle, only the one who can render me weaponless is capable of slaying me.” The statement underscores a warrior’s ethic: fear is not to be induced by speech, but by actual martial superiority that deprives one of the means to fight.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Mere verbal intimidation is ethically and practically insignificant in a warrior context; real danger arises only when one is actually overpowered—specifically, disarmed—so that one cannot defend oneself. The verse highlights courage and the primacy of deeds over threats.
In the Drona Parva’s battle setting, a speaker (reported by Sañjaya) expresses defiance: he will not be cowed by talk, and acknowledges that only an opponent who can strip him of weapons in combat truly has the capacity to kill him.