संग्रामे क्रियतां यत्नो ब्रवीम्येष पुन: पुन: । पाण्डवेभ्य: शिवं वो<स्तु शस्त्रमभ्युत्सूजाम्यहम्,“कर्ण! कर्ण! महाधनुर्धर कृपाचार्य! और दुर्योधन! अब तुमलोग स्वयं ही युद्धमें विजय पानेके लिये प्रयत्न करो, यही मैं तुमसे बारंबार कहता हूँ। पाण्डवोंसे तुम-लोगोंका कल्याण हो। अब मैं अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंका त्याग कर रहा हूँ!
saṅgrāme kriyatāṃ yatno bravīmyeṣa punaḥ punaḥ | pāṇḍavebhyaḥ śivaṃ vo 'stu śastram abhyutsṛjāmy aham ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Berusahalah dalam pertempuran—itulah yang kukatakan berulang kali. Semoga kesejahteraan menyertai kamu, bahkan daripada pihak Pāṇḍava. Adapun aku, kini aku meletakkan senjata.”
संजय उवाच
Even amid war, the verse highlights two ethical notes: (1) victory depends on one’s own sustained effort (yatna) rather than mere reliance on others, and (2) a surprising wish of welfare (śivam) toward the opposing side underscores a residual moral awareness that can persist even in conflict.
Sañjaya reports a moment of withdrawal: after repeatedly urging renewed exertion in battle, the speaker declares that he is laying down his weapons, signaling exhaustion, disillusionment, or refusal to continue fighting.