Shloka 22
उद्योगपर्व अध्याय १३३ — संजये मातृउपदेशः
Udyoga Parva Adhyaya 133 — A Mother’s Counsel to Saṃjaya
सर्वे ते शत्रव: शक््या न चेज्जीवितुमिच्छसि । अथ चेदीदृशीं वृत्ति क्लीबामभ्युपपद्यसे
sarve te śatravaḥ śakyā na cej jīvitum icchasi | atha ced īdṛśīṁ vṛttiṁ klībām abhyupapadyase ||
सर्वे ते शत्रवः शक्याः, न चेज्जीवितुमिच्छसि । अथ चेदीदृशीं वृत्तिं क्लीबामभ्युपपद्यसे ॥
पुत्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts two responses to enmity: decisive confrontation even at the risk of life versus adopting a cowardly, evasive conduct. It upholds courage and responsible resolve as ethically preferable to a life-preserving but dishonorable retreat.
A son addresses an elder (implied by context) and rebukes him: enemies can be faced if one is ready to stake one’s life, but choosing a ‘klība’ (cowardly) course is condemned. The line functions as a sharp exhortation toward firmness in an impending conflict.