Shloka 2
Droṇavadha-saṃniveśaḥ — The Convergence Toward Droṇa’s Fall
Book 7, Chapter 164
न हाहत्वा रणे शत्रुं सोमदत्तं महाबलम् । निवर्तिष्ये रणात् सूत सत्यमेतद् वचो मम,'सूत! आज मैं रणभूमिमें अपने महाबली शत्रु सोमदत्तका वध किये बिना वहाँसे पीछे नहीं लौटूँगा। मेरी यह बात सत्य है"
na hāhatvā raṇe śatruṃ somadattaṃ mahābalam | nivartiṣye raṇāt sūta satyam etad vaco mama ||
Sañjaya said: “O charioteer, I will not withdraw from this battlefield until I have slain my enemy Somadatta, the mighty. This is the truth—such is my resolve.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the warrior-ethic of steadfast resolve: a vow made in the context of battle is tied to satya (truthfulness) and personal honor, presenting determination as a moral commitment rather than mere aggression.
In the midst of the war, a combatant declares to his charioteer that he will not retreat from the battlefield until he has killed Somadatta, emphasizing the certainty and truth of his vow.