Shloka 81
Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
अस्मान् वा त्वं पराजित्य प्रशाधि पृथिवीमिमाम् | अथवा निर्जितो<5स्माभी रणे वीर शयिष्यसि,“वीर धनंजय! या तो तुम्हीं हमलोगोंको परास्त करके इस पृथ्वीका शासन करो या हमारे ही हाथोंसे मारे जाकर रणभूमिमें सदाके लिये सो जाओ
asmān vā tvaṃ parājitya praśādhi pṛthivīm imām | athavā nirjito 'smābhī raṇe vīra śayiṣyasi ||
“โอ้ธนัญชัยผู้กล้า! จงปราบเราแล้วครองแผ่นดินนี้เสีย; หรือหากพ่ายแก่เรา เจ้าจักนอนแน่นิ่งอยู่ในสมรภูมิ”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse expresses the kṣatriya ethic that political authority must be earned through victory in legitimate combat, while defeat entails the warrior’s accepted consequence—falling on the battlefield. It underscores the inseparability of kingship, responsibility, and the risks of war.
Sanjaya reports a direct challenge addressed to Dhanañjaya (Arjuna): the opposing side presents a binary outcome—either Arjuna defeats them and rules the realm, or he is defeated by them and lies slain in battle—heightening the inevitability and gravity of the coming war.