Shloka 1
अत-#-छका+ षण्णवर्त्याधेकशततमो< ध्याय: कौरव-सेनाका सिंहनाद सुनकर युधिष्ठिरका अर्जुनसे कारण पूछना और द्वारा अश्रृत्थामाके क्रोध एवं मा आज परिणामका वर्णन संजय उवाच प्रादुर्भूते ततस्तस्मिन्नस्त्रे नारायणे प्रभो । प्रावात् सपृषतो वायुरन भ्रे स््तनयित्नुमान्,इस प्रकार श्रीमहाभारत द्रोणपर्वके अन्तर्गत नारायणास्त्रमोक्षपर्वमें अरजुनवाक्यविषयक एक सौ छानबेवाँ अध्याय प्रा हुआ ॥/ १९६ ॥। (दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठका १ श्लोक मिलाकर कुल ५४ “लोक हैं।) ऑपन-मा बछ। अति ऋण सप्तनवर्त्याधिकशततमो< ध्याय: भीमसेनके वीरोचित उद्गार और धृष्टद्युम्नके द्वारा अपने कृत्यका समर्थन संजय उवाच अर्जुनस्य वच: श्रुत्वा नोचुस्तत्र महारथा: । अप्रियं वा प्रियं वापि महाराज धनंजयम्
sañjaya uvāca | arjunasya vacaḥ śrutvā nocus tatra mahārathāḥ | apriyaṃ vā priyaṃ vāpi mahārāja dhanañjayam ||
Sañjaya said: Hearing Arjuna’s words, the great chariot-warriors there did not answer Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), O King—whether with something unwelcome or with something welcome. The silence suggests a tense moral and strategic hesitation: Arjuna’s statement has placed the assembly in a dilemma where speaking risks either endorsing a troubling course or opposing a valued ally in the midst of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of speech in crisis: when a situation is morally and strategically fraught, even great leaders may fall silent rather than offer words that are either hurtful (apriya) or superficially pleasing (priya) but irresponsible. It points to the responsibility of counsel and the danger of impulsive endorsement or condemnation during war.
After Arjuna speaks, the assembled great warriors do not respond at all. Their silence indicates tension and uncertainty—Arjuna’s words have created a moment where any reply could escalate conflict, reveal disagreement, or commit them to a difficult course of action.