Shloka 44
शल्यस्य सेनापत्याभ्युपगमः | Śalya’s Acceptance of Command
ये मदर्थे हता: शूरास्तेषां कृतमनुस्मरन् । ऋणं तत् प्रतियुञ्जानो न राज्ये मम आदथधे
ye madarthe hatāḥ śūrās teṣāṃ kṛtam anusmaran | ṛṇaṃ tat pratiyuñjāno na rājye mama ādadhē ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Mengenang berulang-ulang jasa para wira yang gugur demi aku, dan berusaha membayar hutang budi itu, aku tidak mampu menenangkan fikiran pada urusan pemerintahan.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames moral accountability after violence: benefits gained through others’ sacrifice create an enduring ṛṇa (debt). Ethical kingship is not mere enjoyment of power but a burden of repayment, remembrance, and responsibility toward those who suffered on one’s behalf.
Sañjaya reports a speaker’s inner conflict: the memory of warriors who died for his cause prevents him from taking pleasure or settling his mind in royal rule. He feels compelled to repay their obligation rather than simply occupy the throne.