Shloka 26
Adhyāya 36: Ghora-yuddha-varṇanam
A Clinical Description of the Intensified Engagement
निर्ययुस्तावका युद्धे मृत्युं कृत्वा निवर्तनम् । तदनन्तर आपके पक्षके समस्त वीर दुन्दुभि और भेरियोंकी ध्वनि
sañjaya uvāca | niryayus tāvakā yuddhe mṛtyuṃ kṛtvā nivartanam | tad-anantaraṃ tava pakṣasya samastā vīrā dundubhi-bherīṇāṃ dhvaniṃ bāṇānāṃ sanasanāhaṭaṃ ca vegāśīlānāṃ vīrāṇāṃ vividhā garjanāś ca saha yuddhāya niryayuḥ | teṣāṃ manasi niścayo 'bhūt—idānīṃ mṛtyur eva asmān yuddhāt nivartayiṣyati | kalyāṇa-vṛttaḥ satataṃ hi rājā vaicitryavīryasya suto mama āsīt | tasyārtha-siddhy-artham ahaṃ tyajāmi priyān bhogān dustyajaṃ jīvitaṃ ca ||
サンジャヤは言った。「カウラヴァの勇士たちは戦場へ進み出て、死のみが自分たちを引き返させるのだと固く決した。そののち、戦鼓と大太鼓の轟き、矢の唸り、疾き英雄たちのさまざまな猛き咆哮とともに、そなたの陣営の全ての武将が戦いへと前進した。彼らの胸には揺るがぬ覚悟があった――いまや死そのもの以外、われらをこの戦から退かせるものはない。なぜなら、ヴィチトラヴィールヤの子、王ドゥルヨーダナは常に我が安寧のために尽くしてきた。ゆえにその志を成就させるため、私は愛する享楽を捨て、さらには捨て難きこの命さえも捨てよう。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior-ethic of unwavering resolve—treating death as the only permissible retreat—while also exposing the moral tension of loyalty: devotion to a benefactor (Duryodhana) can drive one to renounce pleasure and even life, regardless of the broader righteousness of the cause.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that the Kaurava forces surge into battle amid drums, arrows, and battle-cries, determined not to withdraw. The passage then frames a personal pledge of self-sacrifice made for Duryodhana’s success, emphasizing the intensity of commitment on the Kaurava side.