Shloka 15
आचार्य-क्षमा, देśa–kāla-नīti, तथा भेद-दोषः
Teacher-Reconciliation, Timing-Policy, and the Fault of Factionalism
नैवंविध: शड्खशब्द: पुरा जातु मया श्रुतः । ध्वजस्य चापि रूपं मे दृष्टपूर्व न हीदूशम्,परंतु आजके पहले कभी ऐसा भयंकर शंखनाद मेरे सुननेमें नहीं आया था और ध्वजका भी ऐसा रूप मैंने कभी नहीं देखा था
naivaṃvidhaḥ śaṅkhaśabdaḥ purā jātu mayā śrutaḥ | dhvajasya cāpi rūpaṃ me dṛṣṭapūrvaṃ na hīdṛśam ||
ఉత్తరుడు అన్నాడు—కానీ ఇంతటి భయంకరమైన శంఖధ్వనిని నేను ఇంతకు ముందు ఎప్పుడూ వినలేదు. అలాగే ఇలాంటి ధ్వజరూపాన్ని కూడా నేను ఎప్పుడూ చూడలేదు.
उत्तर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary signs—like a terrifying conch-blast and an unprecedented banner—can shake confidence and signal the presence of a superior warrior. Ethically, it frames the moment where outward portents test inner steadiness: courage is not merely physical but also the capacity to remain composed when confronted with overwhelming, unfamiliar power.
In the Virāṭa episode, Uttara reacts to the battlefield atmosphere as the opposing side’s conch and standard are displayed. He admits he has never heard such a conch-sound nor seen such a banner before, expressing astonishment and rising apprehension at the formidable martial display.