Shloka 31
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
एवमुक्त: प्रत्युवाच धृष्टद्युम्न: प्रतापवान् | प्रतिवाक्यं स एवासिमामको दास्यते तव
evam uktaḥ pratyuvāca dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ pratāpavān | prativākyaṃ sa evāsi māmako dāsyate tava ||
Sañjaya said: Thus addressed, the valiant Dhṛṣṭadyumna replied in return: “You are the very one who will give me the fitting answer—my sword shall be delivered to you.” The exchange frames the combat as a matter of honor and consequence, where words are immediately tested by deeds on the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethic that speech on the battlefield must be backed by action: challenges and boasts are answered through courage and decisive engagement, with honor tied to accountability in combat.
Sañjaya reports that Dhṛṣṭadyumna, having been addressed by an opponent, gives a sharp retort, declaring that his own sword will be ‘given’ to the other—an aggressive way of saying he will meet the challenge directly and settle the matter by force.