Shloka 78
Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
शिखण्डिनमथो ब्रूहि उलूक वचनान्मम । स्त्रीति मत्वा महाबाहुर्न हनिष्पति कौरव:
śikhaṇḍinam atho brūhi ulūka vacanān mama | strīti matvā mahābāhur na haniṣyati kauravaḥ ||
ତାପରେ, ହେ ଉଲୂକ, ଶିଖଣ୍ଡୀଙ୍କୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ମୋର ବଚନ କହ—‘କୁରୁବଂଶୀ ମହାବାହୁ ଗଙ୍ଗାପୁତ୍ର ଭୀଷ୍ମ ତୁମକୁ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଭାବି ତୁମକୁ ହତ କରିବେ ନାହିଁ।’
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a martial-ethical constraint: Bhīṣma’s kṣatriya code prevents him from striking someone he regards as a woman. It also shows how such ethical vows can be exploited strategically—moral rules shape battlefield outcomes as much as weapons do.
Sañjaya instructs the Kaurava envoy Ulūka to deliver a taunting, confidence-building message to Śikhaṇḍin: Bhīṣma will not attack him, so he should fight fearlessly and display valor. The message functions as psychological pressure and tactical signaling before the great war.