Shloka 5
यथाप्रतिज्ञं कौरव्य: स चापि समितिंजय: । पार्थानामकरोद् भीष्म: सततं समितिक्षयम्,इसी प्रकार युद्धविजयी कुरुकुलनन्दन भीष्मने भी सदा अपनी प्रतिज्ञाके अनुसार युद्धमें कुन्तीपुत्रोंक सैनिकोंका संहार किया है
yathāpratijñaṃ kauravyaḥ sa cāpi samitiṃjayaḥ | pārthānām akarod bhīṣmaḥ satataṃ samitikṣayam ||
Sañjaya said: True to his vow, Bhīṣma—the Kuru prince and conqueror in battle—unceasingly brought about the destruction of the Pāṇḍavas’ forces. The verse underscores the grim power of a warrior’s pledged resolve when applied within the ruthless ethics of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral force and danger of a vow (pratijñā): steadfast resolve can become a powerful engine of action, even when it results in widespread destruction. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical landscape, such firmness is admired as kṣatriya discipline, yet it also exposes the tragedy of dharma entangled with war.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīṣma, remaining faithful to his declared intention, repeatedly inflicted heavy losses on the Pāṇḍavas’ troops. It situates Bhīṣma as the dominant commander whose battlefield success is driven by his pledged purpose.