Mahabharata 7.96.23 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 96, Shloka 23
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 96: Sātyaki’s Line-Penetration, Encirclement, and Advance toward Arjuna
युधिष्ठिरश्न मे ग्राह्मो मिषतां सर्वधन्विनाम् । एवं मया प्रतिज्ञातं क्षत्रमध्ये महाभुज
sañjaya uvāca | yudhiṣṭhiraś ca me grāhyo miṣatāṁ sarva-dhanvinām | evaṁ mayā pratijñātaṁ kṣatra-madhye mahā-bhuja, tvarann eka-rathenaiva sametya droṇam abravīt |
Sañjaya sprach: „O König! ‚Yudhiṣṭhira muss von mir ergriffen werden, selbst wenn alle Bogenschützen zusehen.‘ So hatte ich mitten unter den Kriegern gelobt.“ Als er sein Heer in Aufruhr und Verwirrung sah, eilte dein Sohn Duryodhana allein auf einem einzigen Wagen zu Droṇa; er traf ihn und sprach diese Worte—und machte seinen persönlichen Schwur als Sache kṣatriyischer Ehre geltend, unter dem moralischen Druck eines zusammenbrechenden Schlachtfeldes.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a warrior’s public vow (pratijñā) becomes a binding force in kṣatriya culture—driving action even amid chaos. It also points to the ethical pressure of reputation in war: the desire to fulfill an oath can intensify conflict and narrow moral judgment.
As the battle situation deteriorates for the Kauravas, Duryodhana rushes alone to Droṇa and reminds him of his pledge: to capture Yudhiṣṭhira in full view of the archers. He seeks Droṇa’s support to accomplish this objective.
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