Shloka 37

Devanagari script

युधि वाप्यवमानो मे न कर्तव्य: कथज्चन । पश्य पीनौ मम भुजी वज़्संहननौ दृढौ

Transliteration

yudhi vāpyavamāno me na kartavyaḥ kathañcana | paśya pīnau mama bhujī vajrasaṃhananau dṛḍhau ||

Translation

Sama ada di medan perang atau di luar perang, jangan sekali-kali engkau menghina aku walau dengan apa cara pun. Lihatlah—lengan-lenganku tebal dan gagah, rangkaku sekeras kilat petir, teguh oleh kekuatan.

Word by Word

युधिin battle

वाor

अपिeven/also

अवमानःinsult/disrespect

मेof me/my

नnot

कर्तव्यःto be done/should be done

कथञ्चनin any way/at all

पश्यsee/behold

पीनौfull, stout

ममmy/of me

भुजीarms

वज्रसंहननौhaving adamantine/diamond-like compactness

दृढौfirm, strong

Speaker

शल्य उवाच

Characters & Entities

Śalya

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the kṣatriya sensitivity to honor: contemptuous speech is treated as a serious ethical breach that can inflame conflict. It warns that disrespect—especially amid war—provokes retaliation and undermines disciplined conduct.

What is happening in the narrative?

Śalya asserts his dignity and forbids any insult toward him, emphasizing his physical strength and formidable build. The statement functions as a challenge and a demand for respect within the tense wartime exchange.