Shloka 11
Adhyāya 113: Karṇa–Bhīma Śaravarṣa and the Battlefield Aftermath (कर्णभीमशरवर्षः)
“अर्जुनने सारी सेनाके बीचमें भगवान् श्रीकृष्णके सुनते हुए मुझे बारंबार कहकर दृढ़तापूर्वक बाँध लिया है ।। अद्य माधव राजानमप्रमत्तोडनुपालय । आर्या युद्धे मतिं कृत्वा यावद्धन्मि जयद्रथम्,“उन्होंने कहा था--'माधव! आज मैं जबतक जयद्रथका वध करता हूँ, तबतक युद्धमें तुम श्रेष्ठ बुद्धिका आश्रय लेकर पूरी सावधानीके साथ राजा युधिष्ठिरकी रक्षा करो
sañjaya uvāca | arjunena sārī-senāyā madhye bhagavān śrīkṛṣṇasya śṛṇvata eva māṃ bāhuśaḥ punar uktvā dṛḍhatayā baddho ’smi | adya mādhava rājānam apramatto ’nupālaya | ārya yuddhe matiṃ kṛtvā yāvad dhanmi jayadratham ||
Sanjaya said: In the very midst of the entire army, with the Blessed Śrī Kṛṣṇa listening, Arjuna repeatedly addressed me and bound me firmly to his resolve. He had said: “Mādhava, today, until I strike down Jayadratha, you must, with unwavering vigilance and the best judgment in war, protect the king Yudhiṣṭhira.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma in wartime: a warrior’s personal vow (to punish wrongdoing by slaying Jayadratha) must be balanced by vigilant protection of the rightful king. It stresses apramāda—careful, non-negligent conduct—and the ethical priority of safeguarding leadership and the larger cause even amid intense personal resolve.
Sanjaya reports that Arjuna, in front of the assembled armies and with Kṛṣṇa hearing, firmly charged him with a responsibility. Arjuna declares that he will not stop until Jayadratha is killed, and instructs Kṛṣṇa to protect King Yudhiṣṭhira with utmost vigilance and sound battle judgment during that time.