Shloka 39
भीष्मरक्षण-प्रकरणम् / The Protective Screen around Bhīṣma and the Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Clash
युद्धे हि क्षत्रियांस्तात पाण्डवानां जयैषिण: । सर्वानन्यान् हनिष्यामि सम्प्राप्तान् रणमूर्थनि
yuddhe hi kṣatriyāṁs tāta pāṇḍavānāṁ jayaiṣiṇaḥ | sarvān anyān haniṣyāmi samprāptān raṇamūrdhani ||
युद्धात, तात! पांडवांच्या विजयाची इच्छा करणारे जे-जे इतर क्षत्रिय रणाच्या अग्रभागी माझ्यासमोर येतील, त्या सर्वांचा मी वध करीन.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, allegiance and the pursuit of victory can eclipse broader ethical discernment: opponents are reduced to “victory-seekers for the Pāṇḍavas,” and killing is framed as a determined duty-like resolve. It invites reflection on the tension between kṣatriya martial obligation and the moral narrowing that accompanies enmity.
Sañjaya reports a warrior’s fierce declaration of intent: whoever among the kṣatriyas comes forward on the Pāṇḍavas’ side, seeking their victory, will be slain when encountered at the front of the battle.