Shloka 22
धृतराष्ट्र–संजय संवादः: कर्ण–घटोत्कचयोर्निशायुद्धवर्णनम्
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya Dialogue: Description of the Night Engagement of Karṇa and Ghaṭotkaca
अर्जुनेन प्रतिज्ञाते वधे कर्णसुतस्य तु
arjunena pratijñāte vadhe karṇasutasya tu
जब अर्जुन ने कर्ण-पुत्र के वध की प्रतिज्ञा कर ली, तब युद्ध की धारा योद्धा के वचन-धर्म के भारी भार से भर उठी।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ethical gravity of a kṣatriya’s pratijñā (solemn vow): once publicly undertaken, it becomes a binding commitment tied to honor and dharma, even when it leads into harsh and tragic consequences on the battlefield.
Sañjaya reports a turning point in the battle narrative: Arjuna has vowed to kill Karṇa’s son, and this vow sets the immediate martial objective and heightens the stakes for both sides, shaping subsequent actions and confrontations.