Shloka 6
दुर्योधन–द्रोणसंवादः
Arjuna-vīrya-prasaṃśā and renewed battle formation
सत्य॑ ते प्रतिजानामि समाश्चसिहि भारत । हन्तास्मि पाण्डुतनयान् पज्चालांश्व समागतान्,भरतनन्दन! तुम धैर्य धारण करो। मैं तुमसे सच्ची प्रतिज्ञा करके कहता हूँ कि युद्धस्थलमें आये हुए पाण्डवों तथा पांचालोंको निश्चय ही मारूँगा
satyaṁ te pratijānāmi samāśvasihi bhārata | hantāsmi pāṇḍu-tanayān pāñcālāṁś ca samāgatān bharata-nandana ||
सत्यं ते प्रतिजानामि समाश्वसिहि भारत । हन्तास्मि पाण्डुतनयान् पाञ्चालांश्च समागतान् ॥
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a warrior’s resolve is expressed through a vow framed as “truth” (satya) and “promise” (pratijñā). It shows the tension in epic ethics: truthfulness and reassurance are upheld as virtues, yet they are employed to strengthen commitment to violent action within the norms of kṣatriya warfare.
Karna addresses a Kuru prince (implied by ‘Bhārata’ and ‘Bharata-nandana’), urging him to be confident. He then declares a firm pledge that he will kill the Pandavas and their Panchala allies who have assembled for battle.