Shloka 28
गदायुद्धप्रतिज्ञा — The Vow and Terms of the Mace Duel
न हि शूरा: पलायन्ते शत्रून् दृष्टया कथठ्चन । ब्रृहि वा त्वं यया वृत्त्या शूर त्यजसि संगरम्,जो वास्तवमें शूरवीर हैं, वे शत्रुओंको देखकर किसी तरह भागते नहीं हैं। अपनेको शूर कहनेवाले सुयोधन! बताओ तो सही, तुम किस वृत्तिका आश्रय लेकर युद्ध छोड़ रहे हो
na hi śūrāḥ palāyante śatrūn dṛṣṭvā kathaṃcana | brūhi vā tvaṃ yayā vṛttyā śūra tyajasi saṅgaram ||
สัญชัยกล่าวว่า “วีรบุรุษแท้ย่อมไม่หนีไปทางใดเลยเมื่อเห็นศัตรู ถ้าเช่นนั้นจงบอกมา—ด้วยข้ออ้างใด ด้วยวิถีประพฤติแบบใด—ท่านผู้เรียกตนว่าวีรบุรุษจึงละทิ้งสนามรบ?”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts a kṣatriya-ethical ideal: genuine valor is shown by steadfastness in the face of the enemy, and abandoning battle demands a morally credible justification—otherwise it is dishonor disguised as prudence.
Sañjaya reports a pointed rebuke directed at the one addressed as ‘śūra’ (contextually Suyodhana/Duryodhana): he challenges him for withdrawing from combat and demands to know what ‘vṛtti’ (line of conduct or pretext) he claims to justify leaving the battlefield.