Shloka 47
Pāṇḍava-senā-niryāṇa and Vyūha-vibhāga (पाण्डवसेनानिर्याण तथा व्यूहविभाग)
आत्मानमवमन्वानो न हि स्यात् पार्थिवोत्तम: । तत्रोत्तरं प्रवक्ष्यामि तव शुश्रूषणे रत:
ātmānam avamanyāno na hi syāt pārthivottamaḥ | tatrôttaraṃ pravakṣyāmi tava śuśrūṣaṇe rataḥ |
“Wahai Ulūka, tiada raja yang benar-benar unggul mampu berdiam diri sambil menanggung penghinaan yang nyata. Aku telah mendengar kata-katamu dengan teliti; kini aku akan menyatakan jawapanku—dengarlah.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores a kṣatriya-ethical norm: a worthy ruler cannot passively tolerate deliberate contempt, and must respond with measured speech after attentive hearing—linking royal dignity with responsible reply.
Sañjaya addresses Ulūka, indicating he has listened to Ulūka’s message and will now give a formal response, framing it around the idea that a great king does not quietly endure disrespect.