Shloka 22
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — दुर्योधनस्य ह्रदप्रवेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Saṃjaya Dialogue: Duryodhana’s Entry into the Lake
निवर्तध्यमधर्मज्ञा युध्यध्वं कि सृतेन व: । इह कीर्ति समाधाय प्रेत्य लोकान् समश्लुते
nivartadhyam adharmajñā yudhyadhvaṁ ki sṛtena vaḥ | iha kīrtiṁ samādhāya pretya lokān samaśnute ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Berpalinglah kembali, wahai kamu yang tidak memahami dharma. Teruskan bertempur—apa gunanya berundur bagi kamu? Tegakkan kemasyhuran di sini; dan setelah mati kelak, kamu akan mencapai alam-alam yang diraih oleh keberanian.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames retreat in battle as dishonorable for those bound to kṣatriya-dharma: one should stand and fight, win renown in this life, and thereby gain the posthumous reward traditionally associated with valor and righteous warfare.
Sanjaya, narrating the battlefield events, voices a sharp rebuke and exhortation directed at warriors who are turning back: he urges them to abandon flight, resume combat, and seek lasting fame and the promised afterlife fruits of heroic action.