Shloka 26
गदायुद्धप्रतिज्ञा — The Vow and Terms of the Mace Duel
सम्बन्धिनो वयस्यांश्व मातुलान् बान्धवांस्तथा । घातयित्वा कथं तात हदे तिष्ठसि साम्प्रतम्,'युद्धसे पार पाये बिना ही तुम्हें जीवित रहनेकी इच्छा कैसे हो गयी? तात! रणभूमिमें गिरे हुए इन पुत्रों, भाइयों और चाचे-ताउओंको देखकर सम्बन्धियों, मित्रों, मामाओं और बन्धु-बान्धवोंका वध कराकर इस समय तालाबमें क्यों छिपे बैठे हो?
saṃbandhino vayasyāṃś ca mātulān bāndhavāṃs tathā | ghātayitvā kathaṃ tāta hrade tiṣṭhasi sāmpratam ||
ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ—ନିଜ ସମ୍ବନ୍ଧୀ, ସହଚର, ମାତୁଳ ଓ ବାନ୍ଧବମାନଙ୍କୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ଘାତ କରାଇ, ତାତ, ତୁମେ ଏବେ ଏହି ହ୍ରଦରେ କିପରି ଲୁଚି ରହିଛ?
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical weight of violence against one’s own kin and the moral incoherence of seeking personal survival or concealment after orchestrating widespread slaughter. It frames kinslaying as a deed that naturally invites shame, self-reproach, and questions about one’s right to continue living without atonement.
Sañjaya reports a rebuking address to a warrior who, after causing the deaths of relatives and close associates, is said to be hiding or remaining in a pond. The speaker challenges him: having seen sons, brothers, and paternal uncles fallen in battle, why does he now cling to life and conceal himself instead of facing the consequences.