Shloka 14
स्थिरां कृत्वा मतिं युद्धे भूत्वा संशप्तका मिथ: । उन्होंने युद्धके लिये दृढ़ निश्चय करके परस्पर शपथ ग्रहण करनेके अनन्तर विशाल रथसेनाके द्वारा उन्हें घेर लिया ।। १३ ई ।। तेषां प्रपततां युद्धे शरवर्षाणि मुड्चताम्
sañjaya uvāca | sthirāṁ kṛtvā matiṁ yuddhe bhūtvā saṁśaptakā mithas | teṣāṁ prapatatāṁ yuddhe śaravarṣāṇi muñcatām |
Sañjaya said: Having made their resolve firm for battle, and having become ‘Saṁśaptakas’ by taking a mutual vow, they surrounded them with a vast formation of chariots. As they charged into the fight, they released showers of arrows. The passage highlights the grim ethic of wartime vows: steadfastness and collective oath can become instruments of relentless violence when yoked to enmity and ambition.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how unwavering resolve and sworn solidarity (a vow taken together) can be morally double-edged: admirable as discipline and commitment, yet ethically perilous when directed toward destructive ends in war.
A vowed band of warriors (the Saṁśaptakas) steels itself for battle, takes a mutual oath, surrounds the opposing side with a large chariot formation, and advances while unleashing dense volleys of arrows.