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 ||
“ਅਧਰਮ ਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਜਾਣਨ ਵਾਲਿਓ! ਪਿੱਛੇ ਕਿਉਂ ਮੁੜਦੇ ਹੋ? ਲੜੋ—ਇਸ ਪਲਾਇਨ ਨਾਲ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਕੀ ਮਿਲੇਗਾ? ਇੱਥੇ ਕੀਰਤੀ ਕਾਇਮ ਕਰਕੇ, ਮੌਤ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਵੀਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਕਰੋਗੇ।”
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.