Shloka 28
अध्याय ५०: उत्तरेण सह अर्जुनस्य रथप्रयाणे ध्वजचिह्नैः कौरवसेनानिर्देशः
Arjuna directs Uttara by identifying Kaurava commanders through banners
युध्यन्तां कामतो योधा नाहं योत्स्ये धनंजयम् । मत्स्यो हास्माभिरायो ध्यो यद्यागच्छेद् गवां पदम्
yudhyantāṁ kāmato yodhā nāhaṁ yotsye dhanañjayam | matsyo hāsmābhir āyo dhyo yady āgacched gavāṁ padam, athavā anyaḥ ||
ਕ੍ਰਿਪ ਨੇ ਆਖਿਆ—ਯੋਧੇ ਚਾਹੁਣ ਤਾਂ ਲੜਨ; ਮੈਂ ਧਨੰਜਯ (ਅਰਜੁਨ) ਨਾਲ ਯੁੱਧ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ। ਸਾਡਾ ਵੈਰ ਤਾਂ ਮਤਸ੍ਯ ਰਾਜੇ ਨਾਲ ਹੈ। ਜੇ ਉਹ ਗੋ-ਡੇਰੇ (ਗਵਾਂ ਪਦ) ਤੇ ਆ ਜਾਵੇ, ਤਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਉਸ ਨਾਲ—ਜਾਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਹੋਰ ਨਾਲ ਵੀ—ਲੜ ਸਕਦਾ ਹਾਂ।
कृप उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior’s ethical restraint and realism: one should choose a rightful and appropriate opponent, acknowledging superior prowess and avoiding a fight that is neither prudent nor aligned with the stated objective.
During the cattle-raid episode in the Virāṭa kingdom, Kṛpa declares that others may fight if they wish, but he personally will not fight Arjuna (Dhanañjaya). He frames the intended conflict as being with the Matsya king and says he will fight if the Matsya ruler comes to the cattle-station.