Shloka 24
भीष्मस्य सेनापत्यप्रतिज्ञा तथा रथसंख्यावर्णनम् | Bhishma Accepts Command and Enumerates Kaurava Strength
युधिष्ठिरो5पि कैतव्यमुलूकमिदमत्रवीत् । उलूक मद्वचो ब्रूहि गत्वा तात सुयोधनम्,'शकुनिपुत्र! मैं दूसरी बार प्रतिज्ञा करना नहीं जानता। तुझसे सच्ची बात कहता हूँ। यह सब कुछ सत्य होकर रहेगा।' तत्पश्चात् युधिष्ठिरने भी धूर्त जुआरीके पुत्र उलूकसे इस प्रकार कहा--'वत्स उलूक! तू दुर्योधनके पास जाकर मेरी यह बात कहना --
sañjaya uvāca |
yudhiṣṭhiro 'pi kaitavyam ulūkam idam atravīt |
ulūka madvaco brūhi gatvā tāta suyodhanam ||
संजय म्हणाला—युधिष्ठिरानेही धूर्त जुगाऱ्याच्या पुत्र उलकास म्हटले—“उलूक! वत्सा, सुयोधनाकडे जाऊन माझे हे वचन सांग.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical contrast: Yudhiṣṭhira, associated with dharma and truthful speech, sends a clear message even through a messenger linked with deceit, implying that truth and responsibility in speech should stand firm regardless of the medium or the opponent’s character.
Sañjaya reports that Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Ulūka (Śakuni’s son), instructing him to go to Suyodhana (Duryodhana) and deliver Yudhiṣṭhira’s words—part of the tense diplomatic exchanges immediately preceding war.