Shloka 60
जयन्तो वध्यमानाक्ष गतिमिष्टां गमिष्यथ । जित्वा वा बहुभिर्यज्ञैर्यजध्वं भूरिदक्षिणै:
jayanto vadhyamānākṣa gatimiṣṭāṁ gamiṣyatha | jitvā vā bahubhir yajñair yajadhvaṁ bhūridakṣiṇaiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “O Jayanta, O Vadhyamānākṣa, you shall attain the desired goal. Or else, having won, perform many sacrifices, rich in gifts. Thus, whether through the destined end in battle or through victory followed by generous rites, the path held up is one of honor, duty, and rightful recompense.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharmic ideal for warriors: either attain the ‘desired end’ through steadfastness even unto death, or, if victorious, convert success into righteous order by performing sacrifices and giving abundant gifts. It links martial duty with post-war ethical responsibility—victory is not merely to be enjoyed, but to be sanctified through generosity and ritual obligation.
Sañjaya reports an exhortation addressed to Jayanta and Vadhyamānākṣa, encouraging them toward a worthy outcome: they will reach the sought-after goal; or, if they win, they should undertake many well-endowed sacrifices. The speech motivates combatants by presenting honorable alternatives—glorious end or righteous celebration of victory.