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
na hi śūrāḥ palāyante śatrūn dṛṣṭvā kathaṃcana | brūhi vā tvaṃ yayā vṛttyā śūra tyajasi saṅgaram ||
三阇耶说道：“真正的英雄见敌绝不以任何方式逃遁。那么你说吧——凭什么借口、循什么行径——你这自称英雄之人竟弃战而去？”
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.