Shloka 11
उलूकदूतवाक्यम् / Ulūka’s Message to the Pāṇḍavas
कृत्वा प्रतिज्ञां नाहत्वा निवर्तिष्ये जनार्दनम्
kṛtvā pratijñāṃ nāhatvā nivartiṣye janārdanam
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Ayant fait ce vœu, je ne rebrousserai pas chemin sans abattre Janārdana.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral weight of a vow (pratijñā): once a promise is made, it can compel action even when the target is a revered figure like Kṛṣṇa (Janārdana). It invites reflection on whether one should make absolute vows in anger or pride, since dharma may later demand restraint or reconsideration.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, a speaker declares an uncompromising resolve: he will not retreat until he has struck down Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa). The statement functions as a dramatic escalation, signaling hostility toward Kṛṣṇa and emphasizing the intensity of the conflict and the speaker’s fixation on fulfilling his pledge.