Shloka 25
Adhyāya 160: Arjuna’s Envoy-Message—Critique of Borrowed Valor and Pre-dawn Mobilization
यदीदं कत्थनाललोके सिध्येत् कर्म धनंजय । सर्वे भवेयु: सिद्धार्था: कत्थने को हि दुर्गतः
yadīdaṃ katthanāl loke sidhyet karma dhanaṃjaya | sarve bhaveyuḥ siddhārthāḥ katthane ko hi durgataḥ ||
اے دھننجَے! اگر اس دنیا میں محض شیخی بگھارنے سے ہی کام بن جاتا، تو سبھی کامیاب ہو جاتے؛ کیونکہ باتیں بنانے میں بھلا کون مفلس یا کمزور ہوتا ہے؟
उलूक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts empty boasting with real accomplishment: mere self-praise cannot produce success; ethical worth and true capability are proved by action, not by words.
Ulūka addresses Arjuna in a taunting, provocative tone, implying that Arjuna’s claims or reputation mean nothing unless matched by actual deeds—part of the hostile exchange surrounding the impending war.