Shloka 14
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 125: Duryodhana’s despair and vow after Jayadratha’s fall (जयद्रथवधे दुर्योधनविलापः)
स्थिरां कृत्वा मतिं युद्धे भूत्वा संशप्तका मिथ: । उन्होंने युद्धके लिये दृढ़ निश्चय करके परस्पर शपथ ग्रहण करनेके अनन्तर विशाल रथसेनाके द्वारा उन्हें घेर लिया ।। १३ ई ।। तेषां प्रपततां युद्धे शरवर्षाणि मुड्चताम्
sañjaya uvāca | sthirāṁ kṛtvā matiṁ yuddhe bhūtvā saṁśaptakā mithas | teṣāṁ prapatatāṁ yuddhe śaravarṣāṇi muñcatām |
サञ्जयは言った。戦に臨む決意を堅くし、互いに誓いを立てて「サンシャプタカ」となった彼らは、巨大な戦車隊の陣で相手を包囲した。突入すると同時に、矢の雨を放った。この一節は、戦時の誓約が孕む陰惨な倫理を示す。すなわち、堅忍と集団の誓いは、怨敵心と野望に結びつくとき、容赦なき暴力の道具となりうるのである。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how unwavering resolve and sworn solidarity (a vow taken together) can be morally double-edged: admirable as discipline and commitment, yet ethically perilous when directed toward destructive ends in war.
A vowed band of warriors (the Saṁśaptakas) steels itself for battle, takes a mutual oath, surrounds the opposing side with a large chariot formation, and advances while unleashing dense volleys of arrows.