Shloka 21
अध्याय ८८ — घटोत्कच-दुर्योधनयुद्धवर्णनम्
Ghaṭotkaca–Duryodhana Engagement
त्वया च नैनां सफलां करोषि देवव्रतं यन्न निहंसि युद्धे । मिथ्याप्रतिज्ञो भव मात्र वीर रक्ष स्वधर्म स्वकुलं यशश्नल,“वीर! तुमने अपने पिताके सामने प्रतिज्ञापूर्वक मुझसे यह कहा था कि “मैं महान् व्रतधारी भीष्मको निर्मल सूर्यके समान तेजस्वी बाणसमूहोंद्वारा अवश्य मार डालूँगा, यह बात मैं सत्य कहता हूँ।' ऐसी प्रतिज्ञा तुमने की थी; परंतु तुम इस प्रतिज्ञाको सफल नहीं करते हो। कारण कि युद्धमें देवव्रत भीष्मका वध नहीं कर रहे हो। झूठी प्रतिज्ञा करनेवाला न बनो। अपने धर्म, कुल और यशकी रक्षा करो
tvayā ca naināṁ saphalāṁ karoṣi devavrataṁ yan na nihansi yuddhe | mithyā-pratijño bhava mātra vīra rakṣa svadharma svakulaṁ yaśaś ca ||
“Yet you do not bring your vow to fruition, since you do not strike down Devavrata (Bhīṣma) in battle. Do not become one whose pledge proves false, O hero. Protect your dharma, your lineage, and your honor.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
A vow made before elders and in public carries moral weight; failing to act in accordance with one’s declared commitment risks becoming 'mithyā-pratijña' (false-promised). The verse links personal integrity with kṣatriya-dharma, urging the warrior to uphold duty, protect lineage, and preserve honor.
Sañjaya rebukes a warrior who had earlier vowed to kill Bhīṣma (Devavrata) in battle. Seeing that Bhīṣma is not being slain, he presses the warrior to fulfill the pledge and not let the promise become empty, framing the issue as one of dharma, family standing, and fame.