Shloka 22
धृतराष्ट्र–संजय संवादः: कर्ण–घटोत्कचयोर्निशायुद्धवर्णनम्
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya Dialogue: Description of the Night Engagement of Karṇa and Ghaṭotkaca
अर्जुनेन प्रतिज्ञाते वधे कर्णसुतस्य तु
arjunena pratijñāte vadhe karṇasutasya tu
قال سانجيا: لما نذر أرجونا نذرًا جازمًا أن يُنزل الموت بابنِ كَرْنَة، غدا مجرى المعركة مثقَلًا بالثقل الأخلاقي لكلمةِ المحارب المرهونة—حيث يلتقي الشرف والواجب وحتمُ الحرب الرهيب.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ethical gravity of a kṣatriya’s pratijñā (solemn vow): once publicly undertaken, it becomes a binding commitment tied to honor and dharma, even when it leads into harsh and tragic consequences on the battlefield.
Sañjaya reports a turning point in the battle narrative: Arjuna has vowed to kill Karṇa’s son, and this vow sets the immediate martial objective and heightens the stakes for both sides, shaping subsequent actions and confrontations.