Shloka 72
भीमसेनस्य बहुमहारथसंयुगः
Bhīmasena’s Engagement with Multiple Mahārathas
यत् त्वया कथित पूर्व न योत्स्यामीति केशव । मिथ्यावादीति लोकास्त्वां कथयिष्यन्ति माधव
yat tvayā kathita pūrva na yotsyāmīti keśava | mithyāvādīti lokās tvāṁ kathayiṣyanti mādhava ||
केशवा! तू पूर्वी म्हणाला होतास—“मी युद्ध करणार नाही”—त्या वचनाचे रक्षण कर. नाहीतर, माधवा, लोक तुला मिथ्यावादी म्हणतील.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of one’s declared word: public trust and moral authority depend on truthfulness and consistency. A vow, once announced, becomes a matter of dharma and reputation; breaking it invites the charge of falsehood.
Sañjaya reports a pointed appeal directed at Kṛṣṇa (addressed as Keśava/Mādhava): since Kṛṣṇa had earlier stated that he would not fight, he is urged to maintain that stance, or else people will accuse him of being a liar.