Shloka 25
Saṃśaptakas in Candrārdha-vyūha; Arjuna’s Devadatta and the Traigarta Rout
Chapter 17
ब्रह्मचर्यश्रुतिमुखै: क्रतुभिश्नाप्तदक्षिणै: । प्राप्पॉल्लोकान् सुयुद्धेन क्षिप्रमेव यियासव:,ब्रह्मचर्यपालन, वेदोंके स्वाध्याय तथा पर्याप्त दक्षिणावाले यज्ञोंके अनुष्ठान आदि साधनोंसे जिन पुण्यलोकोंकी प्राप्ति होती है, उन सबमें वे उत्तम युद्धके द्वारा ही शीघ पहुँचनेकी इच्छा रखते थे
brahmacaryaśrutimukhaiḥ kratubhiḥ snāptadakṣiṇaiḥ | prāppollokān suyuddhena kṣipram eva yiyāsavaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: They longed to reach swiftly, by means of noble battle itself, those meritorious worlds that are otherwise attained through disciplines such as the observance of brahmacarya, the study of the Vedas and sacred learning, and the performance of sacrifices furnished with due priestly fees.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a traditional Mahābhārata ethic: the fruits promised by religious disciplines (brahmacarya, Vedic study, well-endowed sacrifices) are here sought through 'suyuddha'—noble, duty-bound combat—implying that righteous warfare, when aligned with kṣatriya-dharma, can be viewed as a legitimate path to merit and heavenly realms.
Sañjaya describes the warriors’ mindset: they are eager to attain the blessed worlds quickly, and they believe that engaging in excellent battle will bring them those same rewards that others gain through ascetic and ritual means.