Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
गाड़ेयो धन्विनां श्रेष्ठो युद्धोदानीं सुनिर्भय: । कुरु कर्म रणे यत्त: पश्याम: पौरुषं तव
gāḍeyaḥ dhanvināṃ śreṣṭho yuddhodānīṃ sunirbhayaḥ | kuru karma raṇe yattaḥ paśyāmaḥ pauruṣaṃ tava ||
ଗଙ୍ଗାପୁତ୍ର ଗାଙ୍ଗେୟ, ଧନୁର୍ଧରମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ, ଏବେ ଯୁଦ୍ଧରେ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ନିର୍ଭୟ ହୋଇ ପ୍ରବେଶ କର। ରଣରେ ଯତ୍ନପୂର୍ବକ ନିଜ କର୍ତ୍ତବ୍ୟ କର; ଆମେ ତୁମ ପୌରୁଷ ଦେଖିବୁ।
संजय उवाच
The verse urges a warrior to act without fear and to perform one’s appointed duty in battle with full effort, emphasizing courage and committed action rather than hesitation.
Sañjaya delivers a direct exhortation to a named archer (Gāḍeya), commanding him to enter the fight confidently and demonstrate his valor on the battlefield.