Shloka 27
Saṃśaptakas in Candrārdha-vyūha; Arjuna’s Devadatta and the Traigarta Rout
Chapter 17
(द्विजमुख्यै: समुदितैः कृतस्वस्त्ययनाशिष: । मुदिताश्ष प्रहृष्टाश्न॒ जल॑ संस्पृश्य निर्मलम् ।।) प्रज्वाल्य कृष्णवर्त्मानमुपागम्य रणव्रतम् । तस्मिन्नग्नौ तदा चक्र: प्रतिज्ञां दृढनिश्चया:
dvijamukhyaiḥ samuditaiḥ kṛtasvastyayanāśiṣaḥ | muditāś ca prahṛṣṭāś ca jalaṃ saṃspṛśya nirmalam || prajvālya kṛṣṇavartmānam upāgamya raṇavratam | tasminn agnau tadā cakraḥ pratijñāṃ dṛḍhaniścayāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: With the foremost of the twice-born assembled and having pronounced auspicious benedictions, they—joyful and exultant—touched pure water in ritual purification. Then, kindling the sacred fire with its dark path of smoke, and approaching the warrior bound by his vow for battle, they there, before that fire, made a pledge with firm resolve.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of a pratijñā (solemn vow): it is not a casual statement but a commitment sanctified by ritual purity, blessings, and the witness of fire—implying accountability, self-discipline, and steadfastness even amid war.
Sañjaya describes a formal, ritualized moment: eminent Brahmins assemble, pronounce auspicious blessings, participants perform purification by touching pure water, a fire is kindled, and in the presence of that fire a firm pledge is made in connection with a warrior’s battle-vow.