Shloka 34
Ghaṭotkaca Slays Alāyudha (Night Battle and Māyā Countermeasures) / घटोत्कचेन अलायुधवधः
नाहत्वा सर्वपञ्चालान् कवचस्य विमोक्षणम् | कर्तास्मि समरे कर्म धार्तराष्ट्र हितं तव,दुर्योधन! अब मैं समस्त पांचालोंको मारे बिना अपना कवच नहीं उतारूँगा। मैं समरांगणमें वही कार्य करूँगा, जिससे तुम्हारा हित हो
na hatvā sarvapañcālān kavacasya vimokṣaṇam | kartāsmi samare karma dhārtarāṣṭra-hitaṃ tava, duryodhana |
Sañjaya sprach: „O Duryodhana, ehe ich nicht alle Pāñcālas erschlagen habe, werde ich meine Rüstung nicht ablegen. In der Schlacht werde ich nur jene Tat vollbringen, die deinem Wohl dient—zum Nutzen des Hauses Dhṛtarāṣṭra.“
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between personal resolve and moral restraint: unwavering loyalty to one’s side can harden into a vow that justifies extreme violence. It illustrates how allegiance and martial pride may override broader dharmic considerations, turning duty into ruthless commitment.
Sañjaya reports a warrior’s fierce resolve addressed to Duryodhana: he will not remove his armor until he has slain all the Pāñcālas, and he pledges to act in battle solely for the benefit of the Dhṛtarāṣṭras (the Kaurava cause).