Shloka 36
गदायुद्धप्रतिज्ञा — The Vow and Terms of the Mace Duel
एष ते परमो धर्म: सृष्टो धात्रा महात्मना | तं॑ कुरुष्व यथातथ्यं राजा भव महारथ,“भगवान् ब्रह्माने तुम्हारे लिये यही उत्तम धर्म बनाया है। उस धर्मका यथार्थरूपसे पालन करो। महारथी वीर! वास्तवमें राजा बनो (राजोचित पराक्रम प्रकट करो)”
eṣa te paramo dharmaḥ sṛṣṭo dhātrā mahātmanā | taṁ kuruṣva yathātathyaṁ rājā bhava mahāratha ||
एष ते परमो धर्मः सृष्टो धात्रा महात्मना । तं कुरुष्व यथातथ्यं राजा भव महारथ ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse urges adherence to one’s highest dharma as divinely ordained—especially the ruler’s duty to embody true kingship through righteous action, courage, and proper conduct rather than mere title.
Sanjaya, narrating events to Dhritarashtra, frames the addressed warrior’s role in the war as a matter of ordained duty: he must act according to true dharma and demonstrate kingly valor and responsibility in the unfolding conflict.