Shloka 103
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 47 — Arjuna’s Deterrent Declaration
Sañjaya’s Report
खड्गः कोशाज्नि:सरति प्रसन्नो हित्वेव जीर्णामुरगस्त्वचं स्वाम् । ध्वजे वाचो रौद्ररूपा भवन्ति कदा रथो योक्ष्यते ते किरीटिनू
sañjaya uvāca |
khaḍgaḥ kośād niḥsarati prasanno hitveva jīrṇām uragas tvacaṃ svām |
dhvaje vāco raudrarūpā bhavanti kadā ratho yokṣyate te kirīṭin ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Sebilah pedang yang berkilau meluncur keluar dari sarungnya, bersinar—seperti ular yang menanggalkan kulit lamanya lalu tampak cemerlang kembali. Dan dari panjiku bangkit jeritan yang garang dan menggerunkan: ‘Wahai Kirīṭin (Arjuna), bilakah keretamu akan dipasangkan untuk perang?’”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the moral gravity and inevitability felt before war: signs and symbols (weapon, banner) seem to compel action, reflecting how unresolved adharma and failed diplomacy can drive society toward violent duty-bound confrontation.
Sañjaya reports ominous, warlike portents: a sword gleams as it is drawn, likened to a snake shedding its skin, and fierce cries seem to issue from the banner, calling on Arjuna (Kirīṭin) to yoke his chariot for battle.