Shloka 35
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 49: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Lament and Strategic Foreboding after Abhimanyu’s Fall
स्वर्गमेष गत: शूरो यो हतो न पराड्मुख: । संस्तम्भयत मा भैष्ट विजेष्यामो रणे रिपून्,“यह शूरवीर अभिमन्यु जो प्राणोंपर खेल गया, परंतु युद्धमें पीठ न दिखा सका, निश्चय ही स्वर्गलोकमें गया है। तुम सब लोग धैर्य धारण करो। भयभीत न होओ। हमलोग रणक्षेत्रमें शत्रुओंको अवश्य जीतेंगे”
svargam eṣa gataḥ śūro yo hato na parāṅmukhaḥ | saṃstambhayata mā bhaiṣṭa vijeṣyāmo raṇe ripūn ||
Sañjaya said: “This heroic one—slain yet never turning his back in battle—has surely gone to heaven. Steady yourselves; do not be afraid. We shall defeat the enemies on the battlefield.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse affirms the kṣatriya ideal: dying without turning one’s back is honorable and leads to heavenly merit, and it urges steadiness, fearlessness, and resolve in the face of loss.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the fallen warrior (understood in context as Abhimanyu) has attained heaven because he did not retreat, and he encourages the troops to regain composure and continue fighting with confidence.