Shloka 43
Bhagadattā’s Deployment Against Ghaṭotkaca; Elephant-Corps Escalation
स त्वं राजन् स्थिरो भूत्वा रणे कृत्वा दृढां मतिम् । योधयस्व रणे पार्थान् स्वर्ग कृत्वा परायणम्
sa tvaṁ rājan sthiro bhūtvā raṇe kṛtvā dṛḍhāṁ matim | yodhayasva raṇe pārthān svargaṁ kṛtvā parāyaṇam ||
Sanjaya said: “Therefore, O King, stand firm. In this battle, make your resolve unshakable and fight the sons of Pṛthā. Let heaven be your chosen goal and final refuge—act with steady purpose, without wavering.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse urges steadfastness and firm resolve in the face of crisis, framing battle as a duty that must be undertaken without wavering, with the warrior’s hoped-for end (svarga) held as the ultimate aim.
Sanjaya addresses Dhṛtarāṣṭra, exhorting him (and by implication his side) to remain steady and determined in the war and to fight the Pāṇḍavas, presenting heaven as the intended outcome for one who meets battle with unwavering resolve.