Shloka 35
Droṇa–Vidura–Gāndhārī Counsel in the Royal Assembly (धर्मार्थयुक्ता सभा-उपदेश-प्रकरणम्)
प्रतिज्ञां वितथां कुर्यामिति राजन् पुन: पुनः । विशेषततस्त्वदर्थ च प्रतिज्ञां कृतवानहम्
pratijñāṃ vitathāṃ kuryām iti rājan punaḥ punaḥ | viśeṣatas tvadarthaṃ ca pratijñāṃ kṛtavān aham ||
Bhīṣma said: “O King, I kept saying to myself again and again, ‘May I not make my vow false.’ And it was especially for your sake that I undertook this solemn pledge.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes dharma as fidelity to one’s vow: a pledge must not be allowed to become ‘vitathā’ (false). It also highlights the ethical weight of promises made for another’s welfare, where loyalty and truthfulness are treated as binding moral duties.
Bhīṣma addresses the king and explains his inner resolve: he repeatedly reminded himself not to invalidate his vow, and he underscores that he undertook this pledge particularly for the king’s sake—framing his conduct as deliberate, duty-bound commitment.