Shloka 7
अर्जुन–उलूपीसंवादः
Arjuna and Ulūpī: Explanation of Śānti and the Maṇipūra Resolution
अदत्तानुनयो युद्धे यदि त्वं पितृभिर्मम । करिष्यामि तवातिथ्यं प्रहर प्रहहामि च,“यदि युद्धमें मेरे पिता आदि पूर्वजोंने कभी तुम्हारा स्वागत-सत्कार नहीं किया है तो आज मैं इस कमीको पूर्ण करूँगा। युद्धके मैदानमें तुम्हारा यथोचित आतिथ्य-सत्कार करूँगा। पहले मुझपर प्रहार करो, फिर मैं तुमपर प्रहार करूँगा”
adattānunayo yuddhe yadi tvaṃ pitṛbhir mama | kariṣyāmi tavātithyaṃ prahara prahariṣyāmi ca ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana berkata: “Jika dalam peperangan dahulu ayah dan nenek moyangku tidak pernah menyambut serta memuliakanmu sebagaimana patut, maka hari ini aku akan menebus kekurangan itu. Di medan laga ini aku akan memberikan ‘layanan tetamu’ yang sewajarnya—pukullah aku dahulu, kemudian aku akan memukulmu balas.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames combat as a form of reciprocal honor: even in war, a kṣatriya seeks to uphold dignity, repay perceived past neglect, and follow a rule-like fairness—inviting the opponent to strike first before responding.
A warrior addresses his opponent on the battlefield, saying that if his ancestors failed to honor the opponent properly, he will ‘complete’ that duty now by offering fitting martial reception—asking the opponent to attack first, after which he will retaliate.