Shloka 7
घटोत्कच-कर्णयुद्धम्
Ghaṭotkaca–Karna Combat and the Release of Śakti
भिन्द्यात् सुदुर्भिदं व्यूहं यतमानो5पि संयुगे । प्रतिज्ञाया गत: पारं हत्वा सैन्धवमर्जुन:
bhindyāt sudurbhidaṁ vyūhaṁ yatamāno ’pi saṁyuge | pratijñāyā gataḥ pāraṁ hatvā saindhavam arjunaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Even while striving amid the clash of battle, Arjuna pierced that formation—hard to break though it was. Having crossed to the far shore of his vow, he fulfilled his pledge by slaying Saindhava (Jayadratha).
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of a righteous vow (pratijñā): steadfast effort in adversity and accountability to one’s pledged duty. Arjuna’s resolve to fulfill his promise becomes a model of perseverance and integrity even amid chaos.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna, despite the enemy’s nearly impenetrable battle formation, breaks through it and completes his vow by killing Saindhava (Jayadratha), the key target of that day’s pursuit.