Shloka 21
Adhyāya 160: Arjuna’s Envoy-Message—Critique of Borrowed Valor and Pre-dawn Mobilization
प्राच्यै: प्रतीच्यैरथ दाक्षिणात्यै- रुदीच्यकाम्बोजशकै: खशैश्न । शाल्वै: समत्स्यै: कुरुमुख्यदेश्यै- म्लेच्छै: पुलिन्दैद्रविडान्ध्रकाउच्यै:,'जैसे देवता स्वर्गकी रक्षा करते हैं, उसी प्रकार पूर्व, पश्चिम, दक्षिण और उत्तर दिशाओंके नरेश तथा काम्बोज, शक, खश, शाल्व, मत्स्य, कुरु और मध्यप्रदेशके सैनिक एवं म्लेच्छ, पुलिन्द, द्रविड़, आन्ध्र और कांचीदेशीय योद्धा जिस सेनाकी रक्षा करते हैं, जो देवताओंकी सेनाके समान दुर्धर्ष एवं संगठित है, कौरवराजकी उस (समुद्रतुल्य) सेनाको क्या तुम कूपमण्डूककी भाँति अच्छी तरह समझ नहीं पाते?
prācyaiḥ pratīcyair atha dākṣiṇātyair udīcyakāmbojśakaiḥ khaśaiś ca | śālvaiḥ samatsyaiḥ kurumukhyadeśyaiḥ mlecchaiḥ pulindair draviḍāndhrakāñcyaiḥ ||
Ulūka disse: “Aquela hoste dos Kauravas—difícil de assaltar, bem ordenada como o exército dos deuses—é guardada por todos os lados por reis do Oriente, do Ocidente, do Sul e do Norte; e pelos Kāmbojas, Śakas, Khaśas, Śālvas, Matsyas, os Kurus e os guerreiros das terras centrais, juntamente com Mlecchas, Pulindas, Draviḍas, Āndhras e homens de Kāñcī. Não compreendeis a força desse exército, semelhante a um oceano, apegados ao vosso ponto de vista como um sapo no fundo do poço?”
उलूक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how narrow perspective distorts judgment: Ulūka mocks the opponent as a kūpa-maṇḍūka (‘frog in a well’) for underestimating a vast, well-supported force. Ethically, it warns that pride and limited viewpoint can lead to reckless decisions, especially in matters of war.
Ulūka, speaking for the Kauravas, lists the many regional allies guarding Duryodhana’s army and claims it is as formidable and organized as the gods’ host. The speech functions as intimidation and propaganda, aiming to shake the resolve of the opposing side by emphasizing numbers, breadth of support, and military preparedness.