Shloka 43
Draupadī-apaharaṇa-saṃdeśaḥ
Report of Draupadī’s Abduction and the Pāṇḍavas’ Pursuit
गते त्रयोदशे वर्षे सत्येनायुधमालभे । आनयिष्याम्यहं पार्थान् वशं तव जनाधिप,“महाराज! मैं धनुष छूकर सचाईके साथ यह शपथ ग्रहण करता हूँ कि तेरहवाँ वर्ष व्यतीत होते ही पाण्डवोंको तुम्हारे वशमें ला दूँगा"
gate trayodaśe varṣe satyenāyudham ālabhe | ānayiṣyāmy ahaṃ pārthān vaśaṃ tava janādhipa ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “When the thirteenth year has passed, I touch my weapon and swear by truth: I will bring the Pārthas (the Pāṇḍavas) under your control, O lord of men.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights satya (truthfulness) as the moral foundation of a vow: one’s spoken commitment is treated as binding, and invoking truth makes the promise ethically weighty. It also shows how dharma-language can be used to legitimize political aims, reminding readers that power claims are often framed through moral rhetoric.
A speaker (reported by Vaiśaṃpāyana) makes a formal pledge to a king: after the completion of the thirteenth year, he will bring the Pāṇḍavas under that king’s control. The gesture of touching a weapon underscores the seriousness of the oath and anticipates impending confrontation.