Shloka 456

भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ११०: पार्थभीमयोः प्रहारः तथा भीष्माभिमुखं संग्रामविस्तारः

Arjuna and Bhima’s pressure; escalation toward Bhishma

Devanagari script

दुर्योधनार्थ योत्स्यामि सत्यमेतदिति प्रभो । मेरी भीष्मजीके साथ एक शर्त हो चुकी है। उन्होंने कहा है कि “मैं युद्धमें तुम्हारे हितके लिये सलाह दे सकता हूँ

Transliteration

duryodhanārthaṃ yotsyāmi satyam etad iti prabho |

Translation

Yudhiṣṭhira berkata: “Wahai Tuanku, aku akan berperang demi Duryodhana—itulah kebenarannya.” Dalam konteksnya, dia melaporkan syarat Bhīṣma yang terdahulu: Bhīṣma boleh memberi nasihat demi kebaikan Pāṇḍava, namun tidak akan mengangkat senjata bagi pihak mereka; di medan perang, dia akan bertempur hanya untuk Duryodhana.

Word by Word

• {'duryodhanārtham': 'for the sake of Duryodhana

• on Duryodhana’s behalf', 'yotsyāmi': 'I will fight (future/intentive sense)', 'satyam': 'truth

• what is factually and morally affirmed', 'etat': 'this (statement/point)', 'iti': 'thus

• marking quoted speech or assertion', 'prabho': 'O Lord

Speaker

युधिछिर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Duryodhana
• Bhīṣma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The passage foregrounds the ethical complexity of dharma in war: a warrior’s vows and loyalties can bind him to act in ways that conflict with broader notions of justice. Truthfulness (satyam) and fidelity to one’s pledged word are shown as powerful forces—even when they lead into tragic outcomes.

What is happening in the narrative?

Yudhiṣṭhira is conveying Bhīṣma’s declared stance: Bhīṣma may advise for the Pāṇḍavas’ benefit, but he will not fight on their side; he will fight only for Duryodhana. The line functions as a blunt affirmation of that battlefield alignment and the constraints created by Bhīṣma’s commitments.