Shloka 34
Ghaṭotkaca Slays Alāyudha (Night Battle and Māyā Countermeasures) / घटोत्कचेन अलायुधवधः
नाहत्वा सर्वपञ्चालान् कवचस्य विमोक्षणम् | कर्तास्मि समरे कर्म धार्तराष्ट्र हितं तव,दुर्योधन! अब मैं समस्त पांचालोंको मारे बिना अपना कवच नहीं उतारूँगा। मैं समरांगणमें वही कार्य करूँगा, जिससे तुम्हारा हित हो
na hatvā sarvapañcālān kavacasya vimokṣaṇam | kartāsmi samare karma dhārtarāṣṭra-hitaṃ tava, duryodhana |
Sañjaya said: “Without first slaying all the Pāñcālas, I will not cast off my armor. In the battle I shall perform only that deed which serves your welfare, O Duryodhana—binding my conduct to the cause of the Dhṛtarāṣṭras even at the cost of relentless violence.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between personal resolve and moral restraint: unwavering loyalty to one’s side can harden into a vow that justifies extreme violence. It illustrates how allegiance and martial pride may override broader dharmic considerations, turning duty into ruthless commitment.
Sañjaya reports a warrior’s fierce resolve addressed to Duryodhana: he will not remove his armor until he has slain all the Pāñcālas, and he pledges to act in battle solely for the benefit of the Dhṛtarāṣṭras (the Kaurava cause).