Shloka 29
Adhyāya 160: Arjuna’s Envoy-Message—Critique of Borrowed Valor and Pre-dawn Mobilization
क्व तदा गाण्डिवं ते5भूद् यत् त्वं दास पणैर्जित: । क्व तदा भीमसेनस्य बलमासीच्च फाल्गुन
kva tadā gāṇḍīvaṃ te ’bhūd yat tvaṃ dāsa-paṇair jitaḥ | kva tadā bhīmasenasya balam āsīc ca phālguna ||
ଦାସ ପରି ଯେତେବେଳେ ତୁମେ ପାଶାର ଦାଉରେ ଜିତାଯାଇଥିଲ, ସେତେବେଳେ ତୁମର ଗାଣ୍ଡୀବ କେଉଁଠି ଥିଲା? ହେ ଫାଲ୍ଗୁନ, ସେ ସମୟରେ ଭୀମସେନଙ୍କ ବଳ କେଉଁଠି ଗଲା?
उलूक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how external power—weapons, fame, physical strength—can be rendered ineffective when one is trapped by moral lapse and poor judgment (as in the dice-game). It underscores the ethical lesson that self-control and discernment are essential to uphold kṣatriya dignity and dharma.
Ulūka, speaking for the Kaurava side, delivers a provocative message to inflame the Pāṇḍavas. He mocks Arjuna and Bhīma by recalling the dice-hall episode where the Pāṇḍavas were ‘won’ by wagers, questioning where their celebrated bow and strength were then.