Shloka 21
Adhyāya 160: Arjuna’s Envoy-Message—Critique of Borrowed Valor and Pre-dawn Mobilization
प्राच्यै: प्रतीच्यैरथ दाक्षिणात्यै- रुदीच्यकाम्बोजशकै: खशैश्न । शाल्वै: समत्स्यै: कुरुमुख्यदेश्यै- म्लेच्छै: पुलिन्दैद्रविडान्ध्रकाउच्यै:
prācyaiḥ pratīcyair atha dākṣiṇātyair udīcyakāmbojśakaiḥ khaśaiś ca | śālvaiḥ samatsyaiḥ kurumukhyadeśyaiḥ mlecchaiḥ pulindair draviḍāndhrakāñcyaiḥ ||
Ulūka berkata: “Bala tentera Kaurava itu—sukar diserang, tersusun rapi seperti angkatan para dewa—dikawal dari segenap penjuru oleh raja-raja Timur, Barat, Selatan dan Utara; juga oleh kaum Kāmboja, Śaka, Khaśa, Śālva, Matsya, orang Kuru serta para pahlawan dari wilayah tengah, bersama Mleccha, Pulinda, Draviḍa, Āndhra dan orang Kāñcī. Tidakkah kamu memahami kekuatan bala yang laksana lautan itu, masih terpaut pada pandanganmu sendiri seperti katak di dalam perigi?”
उलूक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how narrow perspective distorts judgment: Ulūka mocks the opponent as a kūpa-maṇḍūka (‘frog in a well’) for underestimating a vast, well-supported force. Ethically, it warns that pride and limited viewpoint can lead to reckless decisions, especially in matters of war.
Ulūka, speaking for the Kauravas, lists the many regional allies guarding Duryodhana’s army and claims it is as formidable and organized as the gods’ host. The speech functions as intimidation and propaganda, aiming to shake the resolve of the opposing side by emphasizing numbers, breadth of support, and military preparedness.