Shloka 24
अभिमन्योर्व॑ं श्रुत्वा प्रतिज्ञामपि चात्मन: । धनंजयेन विक्रम्प गमितो यमसादनम्,जो समरभूमिमें कर्णके समान ही पराक्रमी था, शीघ्रतापूर्वक अस्त्र चलानेवाला, सुदृढ़ बल-विक्रमसे सम्पन्न और महान् तेजस्वी था, वह कर्णपुत्र वृषसेन अभिमन्युका वध सुनकर की हुई अपनी प्रतिज्ञाको याद रखनेवाले अर्जुनके साथ भिड़कर कर्णके देखते-देखते उनके द्वारा यमलोक पहुँचा दिया गया
sañjaya uvāca |
abhimanyor vadhaṃ śrutvā pratijñām api cātmanaḥ |
dhanañjayena vikramya gamito yamasādanam ||
Sañjaya said: Hearing of Abhimanyu’s slaying and recalling his own vow, that warrior—equal to Karṇa in prowess on the battlefield, swift in the discharge of weapons, endowed with firm strength and valor, and radiant with great splendor—engaged Dhanañjaya (Arjuna). Before Karṇa’s very eyes, he was struck down by Arjuna and sent to the abode of Yama.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical power of a remembered vow (pratijñā) in a kṣatriya context: grief over a loved one’s death is transformed into disciplined resolve, and duty-bound action is carried through even amid the chaos of battle.
After Abhimanyu is slain, Vṛṣasena (Karṇa’s son), renowned for valor, confronts Arjuna. Arjuna, recalling his vow connected with Abhimanyu’s death, fights him and kills him, sending him to Yama’s abode, and this occurs in Karṇa’s presence.