Shloka 31
Śālva Attacks Dvārakā; Pradyumna Leads the Defense
Saubha-vimāna and Māyā-yuddha
व्यक्तं मे कथयिष्यन्ति हसन्त्यो भ्रातृजामय: । क्लैब्यं कथं कथं वीर तवान्यै: कथ्यतां मृधे ॥ ३१ ॥
vyaktaṁ me kathayiṣyanti hasantyo bhrātṛ-jāmayaḥ klaibyaṁ kathaṁ kathaṁ vīra tavānyaiḥ kathyatāṁ mṛdhe
व्यक्तं मे कथयिष्यन्ति हसन्त्यो भ्रातृजामयः— “क्लैब्यं कथं कथं वीर, तवान्यैः कथ्यतां मृधे।”
FAQs
This verse shows how obsession with reputation and ridicule can drive a person’s decisions; Duryodhana fears being mocked and labeled “unmanly,” revealing bondage to pride rather than clarity of dharma.
Duryodhana speaks in anxiety about public shame—especially mockery from his sisters-in-law—addressing a “hero” (vīra) to press the point that cowardice in battle would become a lasting scandal.
It warns against making choices from fear of social judgment; instead of acting for image, one should act from integrity, duty, and higher spiritual purpose.