Shloka 45
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
इति तत् कुरु कौन्तेय सत्यं वाक्यमरिंदम । बीभत्सो पश्य सैन्यं स्वं भज्यमानं ततस्ततः,“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
iti tat kuru kaunteya satyaṁ vākyam ariṁdama | bībhatsaḥ paśya sainyaṁ svaṁ bhajyamānaṁ tatastataḥ ||
Sanjaya said: “Therefore, O son of Kunti, O crusher of foes, make your word true. O Bibhatsu, look—your own army is being broken and scattered here and there.” The verse frames a moral pressure: a warrior’s public vow and reputation are invoked as an ethical spur to action amid the visible collapse of one’s side in battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
A warrior’s spoken pledge carries ethical weight: one must strive to make one’s word true, especially when duty and the welfare of one’s side are at stake. The verse uses the ideal of satya (truthfulness/keeping one’s vow) as a moral impetus in a moment of battlefield collapse.
Sanjaya reports an urgent exhortation directed at Arjuna: fulfill your earlier declaration and look at the immediate reality—your own forces are being shattered and fleeing in different directions—so decisive action is demanded.