Shloka 103
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
न हास्यते कर्म यथाप्रतिज्ञं पुत्रै: शपे केशव सोदरैश्न । अन्तं करिष्यामि यथा कुरूणां त्वयाहमिन्द्रानुज सम्प्रयुक्त:,“केशव! अब मैं अपनी प्रतिज्ञाके अनुसार कर्तव्यका पालन करूँगा, उसका त्याग कभी नहीं करूँगा। यह बात मैं अपने पुत्रों और भाइयोंकी शपथ खाकर कहता हूँ। उपेन्द्र! आपकी आज्ञा मिलनेपर मैं समस्त कौरवोंका अन्त कर डालूँगा”
na hāsyate karma yathāpratijñaṁ putraiḥ śape keśava sodaraiś ca | antaṁ kariṣyāmi yathā kurūṇāṁ tvayāham indrānuja samprayuktaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “O Keśava, I shall not abandon the duty I have vowed to perform. I swear it by my sons and by my brothers. O Indrānuja (Upendra), once I am set in motion by you—once I have your sanction—I will bring the Kauravas to their end.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds steadfastness to one’s vowed duty (pratijñā) and the moral weight of an oath. It also frames action in war as requiring legitimate authorization or alignment with a higher guiding principle (here addressed as Keśava/Upendra), emphasizing responsibility and resolve rather than impulsive violence.
A warrior-voice (reported by Sañjaya) declares unwavering commitment to a prior vow, swearing by his sons and brothers, and states that with Kṛṣṇa’s sanction/impulsion he will bring about the destruction of the Kauravas—signaling an escalation of determination within the Kurukṣetra conflict.