Shloka 10
Pāṇḍava-senā-niryāṇa and Vyūha-vibhāga (पाण्डवसेनानिर्याण तथा व्यूहविभाग)
आशीविषमिव क्रुद्धं तुदन् वाक्यशलाकया । कृष्णादीं श्वैव तान् सर्वान् यथोक्तं वाक्यमब्रवीत्
āśīviṣam iva kruddhaṃ tudan vākyaśalākayā | kṛṣṇādīn śvaiva tān sarvān yathoktaṃ vākyam abravīt ||
Sañjaya berkata: Seperti ular berbisa yang sedang murka, Ulūka menyengat dengan jarum tajam kata-katanya lalu berbicara lagi. Dia mengulangi, tepat seperti yang diperintahkan, pesanan Duryodhana kepada Kṛṣṇa dan kepada semua yang hadir, sehingga semakin membakar Arjuna yang sudah pun marah dalam perhimpunan para raja.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical power of speech: words can function like weapons, inflaming anger and escalating conflict. It implicitly warns that provocative messaging—especially in a tense diplomatic setting—can push parties closer to war and away from restraint (dama) and right conduct (dharma).
Ulūka, acting as Duryodhana’s messenger, delivers the message in the royal assembly. His speech is described as a painful sting, intensifying Arjuna’s anger, while he repeats Duryodhana’s words faithfully to Kṛṣṇa and the others present.