Shloka 51
Vāg-yuddha and Nimitta-darśana before the Gadāyuddha
Verbal Duel and Omens
अप्रियाणि ततो<न्योन्यमुक्त्वा तौ कुरुसत्तमौ । उदीक्षन्तौ स्थितौ तत्र वृत्रशक्रौ यथा55हवे
apriyāṇi tato 'nyonyam uktvā tau kurusattamau | udīkṣantau sthitau tatra vṛtraśakrau yathā have ||
Matapos maghagis sa isa’t isa ng mga salitang masakit at di-kanais-nais, ang dalawang pangunahing bayani ng angkan ng Kuru ay nanatiling nakatindig doon sa larangan ng digmaan, nakatitig sa isa’t isa—gaya nina Vṛtra at Indra na nakahandang maglaban—matatag at handang sumabak.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of speech: harsh words (apriyāṇi) intensify enmity and can lock opponents into a path of violent escalation. It also reflects the kṣatriya ethos of steadfastness—once challenged and provoked, warriors stand firm and face the consequences of conflict.
Two leading Kuru heroes exchange cutting insults and then remain facing each other on the battlefield, watching one another closely and preparing to fight. Sanjaya frames their tense standoff through a mythic simile: they are like Vṛtra and Indra readying for combat.