Shloka 1736
स्वधर्ममनुपश्यन्तो न जहु: स्वामनीकिनीम् । वे उस समय अच्छी तरह युद्ध नहीं कर पा रहे थे, तो भी विशेषत: लज्जाशील होनेके कारण अपने धर्मपर दृष्टि रखते हुए अपनी सेना छोड़कर जा न सके
svadharmam anupaśyanto na jahuḥ svām anīkinīm |
Sañjaya berkata: “Dengan memandang dharma mereka sendiri, mereka tidak meninggalkan bala tentera mereka.” Walaupun pada saat itu mereka tidak mampu bertempur dengan baik, namun—kerana terikat kuat oleh rasa malu dan kehormatan—mereka tetap berpegang pada dharma dan tidak sanggup meninggalkan barisan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights adherence to svadharma: even when one’s strength falters, a warrior’s sense of duty and honor can prevent desertion. Ethical restraint (lajjā/honor) functions as a moral boundary that keeps one aligned with one’s role and responsibilities.
Sanjaya describes troops who are struggling to fight well at that moment, yet they do not abandon their own formation/army. Their continued presence is driven less by effectiveness and more by duty-consciousness and the shame of deserting their side.