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 ||
“ଅଧର୍ମଜ୍ଞମାନେ! କାହିଁକି ପଛକୁ ଫେରୁଛ? ଯୁଦ୍ଧ କର—ଏହି ପଳାୟନରୁ ତୁମର କ’ଣ ଲାଭ? ଏଠି କୀର୍ତ୍ତି ସ୍ଥାପନ କରି, ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ପରେ ତୁମେ ବୀରଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରାପ୍ତ କରିବ।”
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.