Shloka 223
Abhimanyu’s Śrāddha; Vyāsa’s Assurance of the Unborn Heir (अभिमन्योः श्राद्धं तथा गर्भरक्षणोपदेशः)
रणे महेन्द्रप्रतिमा: स कथ्थ॑ नाप्रुयाद् दिवम् । “जिसने इन्द्रके समान पराक्रमी द्रोण, कर्ण आदि वीरोंका युद्धमें डटकर सामना किया है, उसे स्वर्गकी प्राप्ति कैसे नहीं होगी?
raṇe mahendrapratimāḥ sa kathaṁ nāpruyād divam |
Vaiśampāyana said: “How could that man fail to attain heaven—he who, in battle, stood firm and faced heroes like Droṇa and Karṇa, whose might was comparable to Indra’s?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse affirms a kṣatriya ethical ideal: steadfast courage in righteous battle—especially when confronting formidable opponents—is treated as a source of great merit, worthy of heavenly attainment.
Vaiśampāyana comments that a warrior who faced Indra-like champions such as Droṇa and Karṇa in battle should naturally be destined for heaven, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of that valor.