Shloka 18
सुभद्राहरणम्
Subhadrā-haraṇa: Arjuna’s Taking of Subhadrā and the Dvārakā Assembly’s Response
अनादृत्य तु राजानं गते मयि न संशय: । अजाततशशत्रोर्नुपतेर्मम चैवानृतं भवेत्,“यदि राजाका अनादर करके मैं घरके भीतर चला जाऊँ, तो महाराज अजातशत्रुके प्रति मेरी प्रतिज्ञा मिथ्या होगी
anādṛtya tu rājānaṃ gate mayi na saṃśayaḥ | ajātaśatroḥ nṛpater mama caivānṛtaṃ bhavet ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: „Wenn ich den König missachtete und nach drinnen ginge, so besteht kein Zweifel, dass mein Wort falsch würde—sowohl gegenüber König Ajātaśatru als auch gegenüber mir selbst. Denn den Herrscher zu gering zu achten und sich zurückzuziehen, verletzte die geziemende Haltung, zu der ich mich verpflichtet habe.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes satya (truthfulness) and dharmic consistency: one must not act in a way that makes one’s pledged word ‘anṛta’ (false). Respecting rightful authority and maintaining integrity in conduct are presented as ethical necessities.
The speaker reflects on a contemplated action—going inside while disregarding the king—and concludes that such behavior would amount to a breach of promise and propriety, rendering his commitment false in relation to King Ajātaśatru and to his own moral standing.