Shloka 19
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 2: Karṇa’s lament, vow, and battle preparation after Bhīṣma’s fall
एवं चैषां बाधमान: प्रभावं॑ गत्वैवाहं ताञ्जयाम्यद्य सूत । मित्रद्रोहो मर्षणीयो न मे<यं भग्ने सैन्ये यः समेयात् स मित्रम्
evaṃ caiṣāṃ bādhamānaḥ prabhāvaṃ gatvaivāhaṃ tāñ jayāmy adya sūta | mitradroho marṣaṇīyo na me 'yaṃ bhagne sainye yaḥ sameyāt sa mitram ||
संजय बोले—हे सूत! इस प्रकार उनके दबाव डालते हुए प्रभाव को समझकर मैं आज जाकर उन्हें जीत लूँगा। मित्र के साथ द्रोह मुझे सह्य नहीं; भग्न सेना में जो आकर मिल जाए, वह (सच्चा) मित्र नहीं।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames loyalty as an ethical boundary even amid war: opportunistic switching of sides after defeat is condemned as ‘betrayal of a friend,’ implying that true friendship is proven by steadfastness under adversity, not by convenience.
The speaker addresses a charioteer, assesses the opposing side’s pressing strength, and declares an intention to defeat them that very day, while also rejecting as untrustworthy anyone who tries to join only after their own army has been routed.