Shloka 98
द्रोणपर्व (अध्याय ११२) — कर्णभीमयोर्युद्धम्, दुर्योधनस्य रक्षणादेशः
Droṇa-parva 112: Karṇa–Bhīma Engagement and Duryodhana’s Protective Order
न हि शैनेय दाशार्हा रणे रक्षन्ति जीवितम् । अयुद्धमनवस्थानं संग्रामे च पलायनम्
na hi śaineya dāśārhā raṇe rakṣanti jīvitam | ayuddham anavasthānaṃ saṃgrāme ca palāyanam
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O Śaineya, the Dāśārhas do not preserve their lives in battle by resorting to what is unworthy of a warrior—by refusing to fight, by standing without resolve, or by fleeing from the field. For them, such conduct is not a means of safety but a betrayal of kṣatriya duty.”
युधिष्ठिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts a kṣatriya ethical standard: life should not be ‘saved’ through dishonorable means in war—refusing to fight, wavering without resolve, or fleeing. True protection of life and reputation lies in steadfast adherence to dharma, even at personal risk.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Śaineya (Sātyaki), invoking the martial reputation of the Dāśārha/Vṛṣṇi line. He urges steadfast engagement in the battle, rejecting cowardice or indecision as unacceptable conduct for such warriors.