Shloka 44
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
भीष्मद्रोणमुखान् सर्वान् धार्तराष्ट्रस्य सैनिकान् । सानुबन्धान् हनिष्यामि ये मां योत्स्यन्ति संयुगे
sañjaya uvāca |
bhīṣmadroṇamukhān sarvān dhārtarāṣṭrasya sainikān |
sānubandhān haniṣyāmi ye māṃ yotsyanti saṃyuge ||
Sañjaya dit : «Ô héros, jadis, dans l’assemblée des rois, tu as déclaré : “Quiconque descendra sur le champ de bataille pour me combattre, je tuerai tous les guerriers de Dhṛtarāṣṭra—Bhīṣma et Droṇa en tête—avec leurs alliés et leurs soutiens.”»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ethical weight of a warrior’s public vow: once duty-bound to protect justice and one’s side, a kṣatriya must not collapse into indecision when the battle is joined, even when revered elders and teachers stand among the opponents.
Sañjaya reports a remembered declaration of resolve—slaying the Kaurava forces led by Bhīṣma and Droṇa along with their supporters—used as a spur for Arjuna to stand firm and restore order and confidence as the fighting intensifies.