Shloka 18
द्रोणकर्णयोः निशि संप्रहारः — Night Engagement with Droṇa and Karṇa
नूनमात्मविनाशाय पाण्डवेन किरीटिना । प्रतिज्ञेयं कृता कर्ण जयद्रथवर्ध॑ प्रति,“कर्ण! निश्चय ही किरीटधारी पाण्डव अर्जुनने अपने ही विनाशके लिये जयद्रथ-वधकी यह प्रतिज्ञा कर डाली है
nūnam ātmavināśāya pāṇḍavena kirīṭinā | pratijñeyaṃ kṛtā karṇa jayadrathavadhaṃ prati ||
Sañjaya said: “Surely, O Karṇa, the Pāṇḍava Arjuna—the diadem-wearer—has made this vow concerning the slaying of Jayadratha as if for his own destruction.” In context, the line underscores the moral and strategic peril of a warrior’s public vow in war: once proclaimed, honor and dharma compel its fulfillment, even when the vow may invite ruin.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the binding force of a warrior’s vow: once a public pledge is made, dharma and honor demand completion, even if the undertaking appears self-destructive. It also reflects how vows can be used to create decisive pressure in battle.
After Abhimanyu’s death and Jayadratha’s role in blocking the Pāṇḍavas, Arjuna vows to kill Jayadratha within a fixed time. Sañjaya reports to Karṇa that this vow seems so perilous that it looks like Arjuna has pledged toward his own ruin if he fails.