Shloka 23
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 96: Sātyaki’s Line-Penetration, Encirclement, and Advance toward Arjuna
युधिष्ठिरश्न मे ग्राह्मो मिषतां सर्वधन्विनाम् । एवं मया प्रतिज्ञातं क्षत्रमध्ये महाभुज,त्वरन्नेकरथेनैव समेत्य द्रोणमब्रवीत् । संजय कहते हैं--राजन्! तदनन्तर जब कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुन सिन्धुराज जयद्रथका वध करनेकी इच्छासे द्रोणाचार्य और कृतवर्माका दुस्तर सेना-व्यूह भेदन करके आपकी सेनामें प्रविष्ट हो गये और सव्यसाची अर्जुनके हाथसे जब काम्बोजराजकुमार सुदक्षिण तथा पराक्रमी श्रुतायुध मार दिये गये तथा जब सारी सेनाएँ नष्ट-भ्रष्ट होकर चारों ओर भाग खड़ी हुईं, उस समय अपनी सम्पूर्ण सेनामें भगदड़ मची देख आपका पुत्र दुर्योधन बड़ी उतावलीके साथ एकमात्र रथके द्वारा द्रोणाचार्यके पास गया और उनसे मिलकर इस प्रकार बोला-- महाबाहो! मैंने क्षत्रियोंके बीचमें यह प्रतिज्ञा की है कि समस्त धनुर्धरोंके देखते-देखते युधिष्ठिरको कैद कर लूँगा
sañjaya uvāca | yudhiṣṭhiraś ca me grāhyo miṣatāṁ sarva-dhanvinām | evaṁ mayā pratijñātaṁ kṣatra-madhye mahā-bhuja, tvarann eka-rathenaiva sametya droṇam abravīt |
Sañjaya said: “O King! ‘Yudhiṣṭhira must be seized by me, even while all the bowmen look on.’ Thus had I vowed in the midst of the warriors.” Having seen his army thrown into confusion, your son Duryodhana hurried alone in a single chariot to Droṇa, met him, and spoke these words—pressing his personal oath as a matter of kṣatriya honor amid the moral strain of a collapsing battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a warrior’s public vow (pratijñā) becomes a binding force in kṣatriya culture—driving action even amid chaos. It also points to the ethical pressure of reputation in war: the desire to fulfill an oath can intensify conflict and narrow moral judgment.
As the battle situation deteriorates for the Kauravas, Duryodhana rushes alone to Droṇa and reminds him of his pledge: to capture Yudhiṣṭhira in full view of the archers. He seeks Droṇa’s support to accomplish this objective.