Shloka 39
आहूतो न निवर्तेयमिति मे व्रतमाहितम् । संशप्तकाश्न मां राजन्नाह्नयन्ति महामूथे,राजन! मेरा यह निश्चित व्रत है कि यदि कोई मुझे युद्धके लिये बुलाये तो मैं पीछे नहीं हटूँगा। ये संशप्तक मुझे महायुद्धमें बुला रहे हैं
āhūto na nivarteyam iti me vratam āhitam | saṁśaptakāś ca māṁ rājan āhvayanti mahāyuddhe ||
Sañjaya said: “O King, I have taken a firm vow: when challenged to battle, I shall not turn back. The Saṁśaptakas are now calling me into the great fight.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of a vrata (solemn vow): once a warrior has bound himself by honor and duty, he treats a direct challenge as a moral obligation, valuing steadfastness and truthfulness even amid the dangers of war.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that he has adopted a firm resolve not to retreat when summoned to combat, and that the Saṁśaptakas—warriors known for fighting under a binding oath—are calling him into the great battle.