Shloka 5
यथाप्रतिज्ञं कौरव्य: स चापि समितिंजय: । पार्थानामकरोद् भीष्म: सततं समितिक्षयम्
yathāpratijñaṃ kauravyaḥ sa cāpi samitiṃjayaḥ | pārthānām akarod bhīṣmaḥ satataṃ samitikṣayam ||
Sañjaya dit : Fidèle à son vœu, Bhīṣma —prince des Kurus et vainqueur au combat— ne cessait de causer la ruine des forces des Pāṇḍava.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral force and danger of a vow (pratijñā): steadfast resolve can become a powerful engine of action, even when it results in widespread destruction. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical landscape, such firmness is admired as kṣatriya discipline, yet it also exposes the tragedy of dharma entangled with war.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīṣma, remaining faithful to his declared intention, repeatedly inflicted heavy losses on the Pāṇḍavas’ troops. It situates Bhīṣma as the dominant commander whose battlefield success is driven by his pledged purpose.