Shloka 17

युधिष्ठिरस्य कृष्णार्जुनादि-समाश्वासनम्

Yudhiṣṭhira’s reassurance and praise of Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna, Bhīma, and Sātyaki

Devanagari script

यदि तावत्‌ कृता बुद्धि: पलायनपरायणा

Transliteration

yadi tāvat kṛtā buddhiḥ palāyanaparāyaṇā

Translation

ಸಂಜಯನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ನಿಜವಾಗಿಯೂ ನಿನ್ನ ನಿರ್ಧಾರವು ಮೊದಲೇ ಪಲಾಯನದತ್ತ ದೃಢವಾಗಿ ನೆಲಸಿದ್ದರೆ, ನಿನ್ನ ಮನಸ್ಸು ಎದುರಿರುವ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯವನ್ನು ಎದುರಿಸುವುದಕ್ಕಿಂತ ರಣಭೂಮಿಯನ್ನು ತ್ಯಜಿಸುವುದರಲ್ಲೇ ಸ್ಥಿರವಾಗಿದೆ.

Word by Word

• यदि: if
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदि

• तावत्: so much; to that extent; then (in that case)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तावत्

• कृता: made; formed; resolved
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• बुद्धिः: intention; decision; resolve; mind
• बुद्धिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुद्धि
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• पलायन-परायणा: intent on fleeing; devoted to escape
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पलायनपरायण
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A mind fixed on escape signals a collapse of resolve; in the epic’s ethical frame, retreat from one’s appointed responsibility (svadharma) is portrayed as a moral and psychological turning away from courage and accountability.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports a moment of counsel or assessment: he characterizes someone’s intention as already determined and oriented toward fleeing, implying a critical choice-point in the battle context where steadfastness versus retreat is being weighed.