Shloka 72
भीमसेनस्य बहुमहारथसंयुगः
Bhīmasena’s Engagement with Multiple Mahārathas
यत् त्वया कथित पूर्व न योत्स्यामीति केशव । मिथ्यावादीति लोकास्त्वां कथयिष्यन्ति माधव,“केशव! आपने पहले जो यह कहा था कि “मैं युद्ध नहीं करूँगा” उस वचनकी रक्षा कीजिये। अन्यथा माधव! लोग आपको मिथ्यावादी कहेंगे
yat tvayā kathita pūrva na yotsyāmīti keśava | mithyāvādīti lokās tvāṁ kathayiṣyanti mādhava ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai Keśava, peliharalah apa yang tuanku nyatakan dahulu: ‘Aku tidak akan berperang.’ Jika tidak, wahai Mādhava, orang ramai akan mengatakan tuanku seorang pendusta.”
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.