Shloka 17
युधिष्ठिरस्य कृष्णार्जुनादि-समाश्वासनम्
Yudhiṣṭhira’s reassurance and praise of Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna, Bhīma, and Sātyaki
यदि तावत् कृता बुद्धि: पलायनपरायणा
yadi tāvat kṛtā buddhiḥ palāyanaparāyaṇā
Sañjaya berkata: “Jika sungguh tekadmu telah lebih dahulu terpancang—sepenuhnya condong pada pelarian—maka batinmu telah menetapkan untuk meninggalkan medan, bukan menghadapi kewajiban yang berdiri di hadapanmu.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
A mind fixed on escape signals a collapse of resolve; in the epic’s ethical frame, retreat from one’s appointed responsibility (svadharma) is portrayed as a moral and psychological turning away from courage and accountability.
Sañjaya reports a moment of counsel or assessment: he characterizes someone’s intention as already determined and oriented toward fleeing, implying a critical choice-point in the battle context where steadfastness versus retreat is being weighed.