Shloka 20
गदायुद्धप्रतिज्ञा — The Vow and Terms of the Mace Duel
स ते दर्पो नरश्रेष्ठ स च मान: क्व ते गत: । यस्त्वं संस्तभ्य सलिलं भीतो राजन् व्यवस्थित:
sa te darpo naraśreṣṭha sa ca mānaḥ kva te gataḥ | yastvaṁ saṁstabhya salilaṁ bhīto rājan vyavasthitaḥ ||
Sañjaya disse: “Ó melhor dos homens, para onde foram a tua antiga arrogância e o teu orgulho? Ó rei, agora, tomado de medo, estás aqui de pé, represando as águas e ocultando-te.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse critiques misplaced pride: true kṣatriya honor is shown through steadfast courage and accountability, not through boastfulness that collapses into fear and concealment when danger arrives.
Sanjaya addresses a king, taunting him for losing his earlier arrogance; he points out that the king is now frightened and is standing hidden after restraining or blocking the water, implying a defensive, fearful posture rather than open valor.