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Shloka 3236

धृतराष्ट्र–संजय संवादः: कर्ण–घटोत्कचयोर्निशायुद्धवर्णनम्

Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya Dialogue: Description of the Night Engagement of Karṇa and Ghaṭotkaca

प्रतिज्ञेयं मया तीर्णा विबुधैरपि दुस्तरा । तब अर्जुनने उनकी बातोंका उत्तर देते हुए कहा--“माधव! आपकी कृपासे मैं इस प्रतिज्ञाकों पार कर सका हूँ; अन्यथा इसका पार पाना देवताओंके लिये भी कठिन था

pratijñeyaṃ mayā tīrṇā vibudhair api dustarā |

सञ्जय उवाच—प्रतिज्ञेयं मया तीर्णा विबुधैरपि दुस्तरा। माधव! त्वत्प्रसादेनाहं प्रतिज्ञामेतां समतिक्रम्य पारं गतः; त्वदनुग्रहविहीनस्य देवैरपि दुष्करा स्यात्॥

प्रतिज्ञेयम्the vow/pledge to be fulfilled (that which must be carried out)
प्रतिज्ञेयम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootप्रतिज्ञेय (प्रति + √ज्ञा, gerundive/भाव्य)
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
मयाby me
मया:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootअस्मद्
Form—, Instrumental, Singular
तीर्णाcrossed/fulfilled
तीर्णा:
Karma
TypeVerb
Root√तॄ (तॄ + क्त, past passive participle)
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular
विबुधैःby the gods/wise ones
विबुधैः:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootविबुध
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Plural
अपिeven/also
अपि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअपि
दुस्तराhard to cross/very difficult
दुस्तरा:
TypeAdjective
Rootदुस्तर (दुर् + तर)
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
M
Mādhava (Kṛṣṇa)
A
Arjuna
V
vibudha (the gods/devas)
P
pratijñā (vow)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights the ethical weight of a warrior’s vow (pratijñā) and frames its fulfillment as requiring humility and reliance on righteous support—here expressed as gratitude for Kṛṣṇa’s grace. It underscores that even formidable undertakings become possible when guided by dharma and aided by a higher, steadier wisdom.

In the aftermath of a perilous commitment made in battle, Arjuna acknowledges to Mādhava (Kṛṣṇa) that he has successfully ‘crossed’ or completed the pledged task. Sañjaya reports this exchange, emphasizing that the vow was so difficult that even the gods would find it hard, and that Arjuna credits Kṛṣṇa’s support for the success.