Shloka 42
Draupadī-apaharaṇa-saṃdeśaḥ
Report of Draupadī’s Abduction and the Pāṇḍavas’ Pursuit
अथवा ते भयं जात॑ दृष्टवार्जुनपराक्रमम् । सत्यं ते प्रतिजानामि वधिष्यामि रणे<र्जुनम्
athavā te bhayaṃ jātaṃ dṛṣṭvārjuna-parākramam | satyaṃ te pratijānāmi vadhiṣyāmi raṇe 'rjunam ||
अथवा ते भयं जातं दृष्ट्वार्जुनपराक्रमम्। सत्यं ते प्रतिजानामि वधिष्यामि रणेऽर्जुनम्॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral force of a pratijñā (solemn vow): speech is treated as binding, especially when offered to remove another’s fear. Even in a warlike context, the emphasis is on truthfulness and accountability for one’s declared intent.
A speaker addresses someone who may be frightened after seeing Arjuna’s martial prowess and offers reassurance by making a firm promise—declaring that he will kill Arjuna in battle—thereby attempting to steady the listener’s resolve.