Shloka 28
द्रोणपर्व — अध्याय १८: संशप्तकगणयुद्धे अर्जुनस्यास्त्रप्रयोगः
Drona Parva, Chapter 18: Arjuna’s astra-deployment against the Saṃśaptakas
शप्त्वाथ शपथानू् घोरान् सर्वसैन्यस्य पश्यत: । गत्वा दौर्योधनं सैन्यं कि वै वक्ष्यथ मुख्यश:,“सारी सेनाके सामने भयंकर शपथ खाकर अब यदि दुर्योधनकी सेनामें जाओगे तो तुम सभी श्रेष्ठ महारथी क्या जवाब दोगे?
śaptvātha śapathān ghorān sarvasainyasya paśyataḥ | gatvā dauryodhanaṃ sainyaṃ kiṃ vai vakṣyatha mukhyaśaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Setelah melafazkan sumpah-sumpah yang menggerunkan—di hadapan seluruh bala tentera yang menyaksikan—apabila kamu kembali ke angkatan Duryodhana, apakah jawapan yang akan kamu, para maharatha terkemuka, berikan sebenarnya?”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Publicly sworn vows bind one’s honor and credibility; leaders must be ready to answer for their words before witnesses, especially in war where oaths shape morale and duty.
Sañjaya describes a moment where leading warriors have taken fearsome oaths in full view of the army, and he pointedly asks what they will say when they return to Duryodhana’s camp—highlighting the pressure of accountability and reputation.