Shloka 28
गदायुद्धप्रतिज्ञा — The Vow and Terms of the Mace Duel
न हि शूरा: पलायन्ते शत्रून् दृष्टया कथठ्चन । ब्रृहि वा त्वं यया वृत्त्या शूर त्यजसि संगरम्
na hi śūrāḥ palāyante śatrūn dṛṣṭvā kathaṃcana | brūhi vā tvaṃ yayā vṛttyā śūra tyajasi saṅgaram ||
Disse Sañjaya: “Heróis verdadeiros não fogem de modo algum ao ver o inimigo. Dize-me, então: por que pretexto ou por que conduta tu, que te chamas herói, abandonas a batalha?”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts a kṣatriya-ethical ideal: genuine valor is shown by steadfastness in the face of the enemy, and abandoning battle demands a morally credible justification—otherwise it is dishonor disguised as prudence.
Sañjaya reports a pointed rebuke directed at the one addressed as ‘śūra’ (contextually Suyodhana/Duryodhana): he challenges him for withdrawing from combat and demands to know what ‘vṛtti’ (line of conduct or pretext) he claims to justify leaving the battlefield.