Shloka 44
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
भीष्मद्रोणमुखान् सर्वान् धार्तराष्ट्रस्य सैनिकान् । सानुबन्धान् हनिष्यामि ये मां योत्स्यन्ति संयुगे,“वीर! पहले राजाओंकी मण्डलीमें तुमने जो यह कहा था कि “जो मेरे साथ संग्रामभूमिमें उतरकर युद्ध करेंगे, दुर्योधनके उन भीष्म, द्रोण आदि समस्त सैनिकोंको मैं सगे-सम्बन्धियोंसहित मार डालूँगा।” शत्रुसूदन कुन्तीनन्दन! अपनी उस बातको सत्य कर दिखाओ। अर्जुन! देखो, तुम्हारी सेना इधर-उधर भाग रही है
sañjaya uvāca |
bhīṣmadroṇamukhān sarvān dhārtarāṣṭrasya sainikān |
sānubandhān haniṣyāmi ye māṃ yotsyanti saṃyuge ||
Sañjaya said: “I shall slay all the warriors of Dhṛtarāṣṭra—Bhīṣma and Droṇa at their head—together with their allies and supporters, whoever they may be, who choose to fight me in battle.” In recalling this vow, the narrative presses Arjuna to uphold his public word and to act decisively amid the moral strain of war, where personal ties and duty collide.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ethical weight of a warrior’s public vow: once duty-bound to protect justice and one’s side, a kṣatriya must not collapse into indecision when the battle is joined, even when revered elders and teachers stand among the opponents.
Sañjaya reports a remembered declaration of resolve—slaying the Kaurava forces led by Bhīṣma and Droṇa along with their supporters—used as a spur for Arjuna to stand firm and restore order and confidence as the fighting intensifies.