Shloka 45
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ११०: पार्थभीमयोः प्रहारः तथा भीष्माभिमुखं संग्रामविस्तारः
Arjuna and Bhima’s pressure; escalation toward Bhishma
समयस्तु कृत: कश्चिन्मम भीष्मेण संयुगे | मन्त्रयिष्ये तवार्थाय न तु योत्स्ये कथठ्चन
samayas tu kṛtaḥ kaścin mama bhīṣmeṇa saṁyuge | mantrayiṣye tavārthāya na tu yotsye kathaṁcana ||
Yudhiṣṭhira berkata: “Di tengah pertempuran, aku telah membuat suatu perjanjian dengan Bhīṣma. Demi kepentinganmu aku akan memberi nasihat dan merancang langkah-langkah, tetapi aku tidak akan bertempur—dalam apa jua keadaan.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical restraint amid warfare: even in a righteous conflict, one may bind oneself by a pledged agreement (samaya) and choose counsel over violence. It underscores the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension between kṣatriya action and personal vows, showing that dharma can involve self-limitation and fidelity to one’s word.
Yudhiṣṭhira declares that he has entered into a specific understanding with Bhīṣma during the battle. Because of that compact, he will support the other party through advice and planning, but he refuses to take up arms and fight.