Shloka 12
Adhyāya 160: Arjuna’s Envoy-Message—Critique of Borrowed Valor and Pre-dawn Mobilization
असमागम्य भीष्मेण संयुगे कि विकत्थसे । आरुरुक्षुर्यथा मन्द: पर्वतं गन्धमादनम्
asamāgamya bhīṣmeṇa saṁyuge kiṁ vikatthase | ārurukṣur yathā mandaḥ parvataṁ gandhamādanam ||
ଉଲୂକ କହିଲା—“ଯୁଦ୍ଧରେ ଭୀଷ୍ମଙ୍କ ସହ ସାକ୍ଷାତ୍ ନ ହୋଇ ତୁମେ କାହିଁକି ଗର୍ବ କରୁଛ? ତୁମେ ସେଇ ମନ୍ଦବୁଦ୍ଧି ଲୋକ ପରି, ଯେ ଗନ୍ଧମାଦନ ପର୍ବତ ଚଢ଼ିବାକୁ ଚାହେ।”
उलूक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Empty boasting without proven capability is ethically blameworthy and strategically foolish; true valor is demonstrated through deeds, especially when facing a formidable elder-warrior like Bhīṣma.
Ulūka delivers a taunting rebuke, mocking the addressee’s pride by pointing out that he has not yet faced Bhīṣma in actual combat, and compares his bravado to a foolish person attempting the near-impossible climb of Mount Gandhamādana.