Shloka 67
प्राह वाक्यमसम्भ्रान्त: सूतपुत्र॑ विशाम्पते । तिछ्लेदानीं क्व मे जीवन सूतपुत्र गमिष्यसि
sañjaya uvāca |
prāha vākyam asambhrāntaḥ sūtaputra viśāmpate |
tiṣṭhedānīṃ kva me jīvan sūtaputra gamiṣyasi ||
Sañjaya said: Unshaken, the lord of men addressed the charioteer’s son: “Stand now—where will you go, leaving me alive? O son of a sūta, where do you think you can depart?” In the ethical atmosphere of the war, the line carries the pressure of loyalty and duty: a commander or king, facing crisis, challenges a trusted warrior not to abandon him at a decisive moment.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a moment of danger, the verse highlights the ethical demand of steadfastness—especially the expectation that a warrior or ally should not abandon his leader. It frames loyalty and duty (svadharma) as decisive virtues amid the chaos of war.
Sañjaya reports that a king or commander, remaining composed, addresses the ‘sūtaputra’ and challenges him to stay rather than depart. The speaker’s words suggest a tense battlefield situation where withdrawal would be seen as desertion or a breach of obligation.