Shloka 16
Bhīma–Duryodhana Gadāyuddha Saṃkalpa
Resolve for the Mace Duel
धर्ममूला सतां कीर्तिर्मिनुष्याणां जनाधिप । धर्म चैवेह कीर्ति च पालयन् प्रबवीम्पहम्,“नरेश्वर! साधु पुरुषोंकी कीर्तिका मूल कारण धर्म ही है। मैं यहाँ उस धर्म और कीर्तिका पालन करता हुआ ही यह बात कह रहा हूँ
dharmamūlā satāṁ kīrtir manuṣyāṇāṁ janādhipa | dharmaṁ caiveha kīrtiṁ ca pālayan prabravīmi aham ||
قال سنجيا: «يا سيّد الناس، إن شهرة الصالحين متجذّرة في الدارما. وإني لا أنطق بهذه الكلمات إلا وأنا أحفظ الدارما وأصون الذكر الحسن في هذا العالم.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
True and lasting fame (kīrti) for the virtuous is rooted in dharma; therefore one should speak and act while upholding righteousness and protecting moral integrity rather than pursuing expedient gain.
Sañjaya addresses the king (Dhṛtarāṣṭra) and frames his forthcoming statement as ethically grounded—he is speaking as one committed to maintaining dharma and honorable reputation amid the grim Kurukṣetra war report.