Shloka 84
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
ये यान्ति ते यान्तु शिनिप्रवीर येडपि स्थिता: सात्वत ते5पि यान्तु । भीष्म रथात् पश्य निपात्यमानं द्रोणं च संख्ये सगणं मयाद्य,'शिनिवंशके प्रमुख वीर! सात्वतरत्न! जो भाग रहे हैं, वे भाग जायँ। जो खड़े हैं, वे भी चले जायाँ। (मैं इन लोगोंका भरोसा नहीं करता।) तुम देखो, मैं अभी संग्राम भूमिमें सहायकगणोंके साथ भीष्म और द्रोणाचार्यको रथसे मार गिराता हूँ
sañjaya uvāca | ye yānti te yāntu śinipravīra yed api sthitāḥ sātvata te 'pi yāntu | bhīṣma-rathāt paśya nipātyamānaṃ droṇaṃ ca saṅkhye sagaṇaṃ mayā 'dya ||
Sanjaya said: “O foremost hero of the Śini line, O jewel among the Sātvatas—let those who are fleeing go; and even those who are standing firm may go as well. (I place no trust in these men.) Look: today, in the press of battle, I shall hurl Bhīṣma down from his chariot, and likewise Droṇa—together with his supporting troops.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the psychology of war: a leader’s confidence can turn into contempt for unreliable allies, and heroic vows are used to restore morale. Ethically, it underscores how pride and the urge to prove prowess can eclipse prudence and trust—an important tension in the Mahābhārata’s portrayal of dharma under battlefield pressure.
Sanjaya reports a warrior’s defiant declaration addressed to a Sātvata/Śini hero: he dismisses those who flee (and even those who remain), claiming he will personally bring down Bhīṣma from his chariot and also defeat Droṇa in the thick of battle, along with their supporting forces.