Shloka 27
गदायुद्धप्रतिज्ञा — The Vow and Terms of the Mace Duel
शूरमानी न शूरस्त्वं मृषा वदसि भारत । शूरो5हमिति दुर्बुद्धे सर्वलोकस्य शृण्वत:
śūramānī na śūras tvaṃ mṛṣā vadasi bhārata | śūro 'ham iti durbuddhe sarvalokasya śṛṇvataḥ ||
சஞ்சயன் கூறினான்—நீ உன்னை வீரன் என்று எண்ணுகிறாய்; ஆனால் நீ வீரன் அல்ல. ஓ பாரதா, ஓ மந்தமதி! அனைவரும் கேட்கும் முன்னிலையில் ‘நான் வீரன்’ என்று நீ பொய்யாகச் சொல்கிறாய்.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse condemns empty self-praise and insists that true heroism is proven by conduct, not by loud claims. Ethical speech—avoiding false boasting before others—is presented as integral to honor, especially in a warrior context.
Sañjaya reports a sharp rebuke directed at a Kuru king addressed as “Bhārata,” accusing him of falsely proclaiming himself a hero in front of everyone. The line functions as a public exposure of hollow bravado amid the tensions of the war narrative.