Shloka 11
Sātyaki’s Call for Intervention and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Vow-Bound Restraint (सात्यकिवाक्यं—धर्मराजस्य धैर्यनिश्चयः)
निघ्नन्तमेक॑ कुरुयो धमुख्या- नग्निं महाकक्षमिवान्तकाले । प्रद्युम्नमुक्तान् निशितान् न शक्ता: सोढुं कृपद्रोणविकर्णकर्णा:,जैसे प्रलयकालीन अग्नि सूखे घासकी राशिको जलाकर भस्म कर देती है, उसी प्रकार मैं अकेला ही कौरवदलके प्रधान वीरोंका संहार कर डालूँगा और ऐसा करते हुए सब लोग मुझे प्रत्यक्ष देखेंगे। प्रद्युम्मके छोड़े हुए तीखे बाणोंको सहन करनेकी शक्ति कृपाचार्य, द्रोणाचार्य, विकर्ण और कर्ण--किसीमें नहीं है
nighnantam ekaṁ kurūyodhamukhyān agniṁ mahākakṣam ivāntakāle | pradyumnamuktān niśitān na śaktāḥ soḍhuṁ kṛpadroṇavikarṇakarṇāḥ ||
Baladeva declares that, like a vast conflagration at the end of time reducing heaps of dry grass to ash, he alone will strike down the foremost warriors of the Kuru host, in full view of all. He adds that even renowned masters and champions—Kṛpa, Droṇa, Vikarṇa, and Karṇa—lack the strength to endure the razor-sharp arrows released by Pradyumna. The speech underscores the moral intensity of the moment: a vow of overwhelming force framed as righteous retribution and deterrence in the face of escalating adharma on the battlefield.
बलदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical posture of righteous force as deterrence: when adharma becomes entrenched, a protector may vow decisive action to prevent further harm. The end-time fire simile stresses inevitability and totality, warning that arrogance and injustice invite overwhelming consequences.
Baladeva proclaims his capacity to annihilate the leading Kuru warriors single-handedly, comparing himself to a cosmic conflagration. He further asserts that even famed fighters like Kṛpa, Droṇa, Vikarṇa, and Karṇa cannot withstand the sharp arrows shot by Pradyumna.