Shloka 21
एवमुक्त: प्रत्युवाच विजयो भरतर्षभ । सत्येन ते शपे राजन् प्रसादेन तथैव च । भीमेन च नरश्रेष्ठ यमा भ्यां च महीपते
evam uktaḥ pratyuvāca vijayo bharatarṣabha | satyena te śape rājan prasādena tathaiva ca | bhīmena ca naraśreṣṭha yamābhyāṃ ca mahīpate ||
संजय बोले—ऐसा कहे जाने पर भरतश्रेष्ठ विजय (अर्जुन) ने उत्तर दिया—राजन्! मैं सत्य की, आपके कृपापूर्ण प्रसाद की, भीमसेन की तथा यम के दोनों पुत्रों (नकुल-सहदेव) की शपथ खाता हूँ। अपने धनुष को स्पर्श कर सत्यपूर्वक कहता हूँ—आज समर में या तो कर्ण का वध करूँगा, अथवा स्वयं मारा जाकर पृथ्वी पर गिरूँगा।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of a kṣatriya’s vow: truth (satya) is treated as a sacred witness, and one’s word—sealed by revered persons and by one’s weapon—must be upheld even at the cost of life. It frames resolve and accountability as central to righteous conduct in war.
In Sañjaya’s report to the king, Arjuna responds to a challenge or provocation by taking a solemn oath. He swears by truth, by the king’s favor, and by his brothers (Bhīma and the twins), touches his bow to sanctify the pledge, and declares that he will either kill Karṇa that day or die in the attempt.