Shloka 48
Pāṇḍava-senā-niryāṇa and Vyūha-vibhāga (पाण्डवसेनानिर्याण तथा व्यूहविभाग)
उलूकं॑ भरतश्रेष्ठ सामपूर्वमथोर्जितम् । दुर्योधनस्य तद् वाक््यं निशम्य भरतर्षभ:
sañjaya uvāca | ulūkaṃ bharataśreṣṭha sāmapūrvam athorjitam | duryodhanasya tad vākyaṃ niśamya bharatarṣabhaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Wahai yang terbaik antara Bharata, Yudhiṣṭhira mula-mula menegur Ulūka dengan kata-kata yang manis untuk meredakan suasana, lalu menjawab dengan tutur yang tegas dan bersemangat. Setelah mendengar pesanan Duryodhana melalui mulut Ulūka, sang permata keturunan Bharata itu menyala marah di dalam; matanya merah menyala, nafasnya mendesis seperti ular berbisa, dan dia menjilat hujung bibirnya. Dia memandang kepada Śrī Kṛṣṇa dan saudara-saudaranya, bersiap untuk berkata-kata; kemudian mengangkat lengan yang gagah, dia menujukan bicara kepada Ulūka, putera Śakuni, dengan senyuman yang seakan menutup bara amarah.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical progression from conciliation (sāma) to firm, forceful response when injustice persists. It suggests that righteous leaders attempt peaceful persuasion first, but when the opponent’s message confirms obstinacy and wrongdoing, moral clarity may require resolute speech and readiness to uphold dharma.
Uluka arrives as Duryodhana’s messenger. After hearing the Kaurava message, Yudhishthira—though initially speaking politely—becomes visibly enraged, like a serpent ready to strike. He looks to Krishna and his brothers, raises his arm, and prepares to answer Uluka, indicating a turning point where negotiations harden toward conflict.