Shloka 23
Chapter 47: Krauñca-vyūha Deployment and Conch-Signals
Kaurava–Pāṇḍava Readiness
श्रूयते हि पुराकल्पे गुरूनननुमान्य यः । युध्यते स भवेद् व्यक्तमपध्यातो महत्तरै:,'सुना जाता है कि प्राचीन कालमें जो गुरुजनोंकी अनुमति लिये बिना ही युद्ध करता था, वह निश्चय ही उन माननीय पुरुषोंकी दृष्टिमें गिर जाता था
śrūyate hi purākalpe gurūn ananumānya yaḥ | yudhyate sa bhaved vyaktam apadhyāto mahattaraiḥ ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: “Naririnig sa sinaunang kaugalian na ang sinumang sumabak sa digmaan nang hindi muna humihingi ng pahintulot sa mga guro at matatanda ay tiyak na itinuturing na nalugmok sa wastong asal sa paningin ng mga kagalang-galang.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, dharma requires deference to legitimate authority: one should not take up battle on one’s own impulse but seek the sanction of elders/teachers; otherwise one incurs moral censure and loss of standing among the wise.
Sañjaya invokes an old, well-known precedent to frame the ethical norms of fighting—reminding that acting without the approval of revered seniors was traditionally condemned—thereby commenting on proper conduct amid the unfolding war.