Shloka 21
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 2: Karṇa’s lament, vow, and battle preparation after Bhīṣma’s fall
'या तो मैं सत्पुरुषोंके करनेयोग्य इस श्रेष्ठ कार्यको सम्पन्न करूँगा अथवा अपने प्राणोंका परित्याग करके भीष्मजीके ही पथपर चला जाऊँगा। मैं संग्रामभूमिमें शत्रुओंके समस्त समुदायोंका संहार कर डालूँगा अथवा उन्हींके हाथसे मारा जाकर वीरलोक प्राप्त कर लूँगा ।। सम्प्राक्रुष्टे रुदितस्त्रीकुमारे पराहते पौरुषे धार्त॑राष्टरे । मया कृत्यमिति जानामि सूत तस्माद् राज्ञस्त्वद्य शत्रून् विजेष्ये,'सूत! दुर्योधनका पुरुषार्थ प्रतिहत हो गया है। उसके स्त्री-बच्चे रो-रोकर “त्राहि-त्राहि' पुकार रहे हैं। ऐसे अवसरपर मुझे क्या करना चाहिये, यह मैं जानता हूँ। अत: आज मैं राजा दुर्योधनके शत्रुओंको अवश्य जीतूँगा
samprākruṣṭe ruditastrīkumāre parāhate pauruṣe dhārtarāṣṭre | mayā kṛtyam iti jānāmi sūta tasmād rājñas tv adya śatrūn vijeṣye ||
Sañjaya said: “O Sūta, the manly resolve of Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son has been checked; his women and children cry out in distress. In such a moment I know what must be done. Therefore, today I shall surely strive to conquer the king’s enemies.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a wartime ethic of decisive action under pressure: when a ruler’s cause falters and dependents suffer, one must discern one’s kṛtya (duty) and act with resolve. It highlights the tension between compassion for the vulnerable and the harsh obligations assumed within a royal-warrior order.
In the Drona Parva’s early movement, the Kaurava side is portrayed as shaken—Duryodhana’s valor is said to be checked and his household is in distress. The speaker declares that he understands what must be done and resolves to defeat the king’s enemies that very day, signaling renewed commitment to the Kaurava war effort.