Shloka 26
Adhyāya 41 — Kṛṣṇa’s Battlefield Briefing and the Renewal of the Great Engagement
योत्स्याम्येनं शल्य धनंजयं वै मृत्युं पुरस्कृत्य रणे जयं वा
yotsyāmy enaṃ śalya dhanañjayaṃ vai mṛtyuṃ puraskṛtya raṇe jayaṃ vā
Sañjaya dit : « Je combattrai celui-là—Dhanañjaya—ô Śalya, dans la bataille, la mort placée devant moi ; ou bien j’emporterai la victoire. »
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse expresses the kṣatriya ideal of steadfast resolve: one enters battle accepting death as a possible and even foremost outcome, yet still aiming at righteous victory—acting without retreat when duty demands.
In the Karṇa Parva war setting, a warrior’s determination to confront Arjuna (Dhanañjaya) is reported by Sañjaya, addressing Śalya, emphasizing a do-or-die commitment: either death will come first, or victory will be secured.