Shloka 17
अभिशनज्ञौ युद्धधर्मस्य मम माता पिता च मे
abhiśanajñau yuddhadharmasya mama mātā pitā ca me |
सञ्जय उवाच—अभिशनज्ञौ युद्धधर्मस्य मम माता पिता च मे। तौ मे निधनवार्तां श्रुत्वा दुःखेनाभिपीडितौ भविष्यतः। तयोर्मम वचनात् संदेशो दातव्यः—इष्टानि मया यज्ञानि, भृत्याः सम्यग् भृताः, ससागरां च पृथिवीं सम्यक् प्रशासितवान्।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ideal of kṣatriya life: even in the face of death, one seeks to be remembered for adherence to yuddha-dharma, performance of yajñas, protection of dependents, and righteous governance—ethical duty outweighing personal fear.
In the Shalya Parva war setting, Sañjaya speaks of a warrior anticipating death and instructing that a consoling message be delivered to his parents: that his life was spent in religious duty, social responsibility, and proper rule, even though the news will cause them grief.