Shloka 4
ननु त्वया महाबाहो प्रतिज्ञातं वृकोदर
vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca | nanu tvayā mahābāho pratijñātaṃ vṛkodara, dharmaputro mahābāhur vilalāpa suvistaram |
वैशम्पायन उवाच— ननु त्वया महाबाहो वृकोदर प्रतिज्ञातं? इति धर्मपुत्रो महाबाहुर्युधिष्ठिरः सुविस्तरं विललाप। भ्रातॄन् निपतितान् दृष्ट्वा प्रतिज्ञाफलस्य च व्यर्थतां मन्यमानः शोकचिन्ताभ्यां परिप्लुतो धर्मप्रतिज्ञानां कुलकीर्तेश्च गुरुत्वं स्मरन् वाक्यानि प्राह।
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ethical gravity of a pratijñā (solemn vow): in dharma-centered life, promises bind one’s honor and purpose, and their apparent frustration becomes a source of moral anguish—especially when tied to protecting family and upholding kṣatriya responsibility.
Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates that Yudhiṣṭhira, overwhelmed by sorrow, addresses Bhīma (Vṛkodara) and reminds him of a vow he had made; Yudhiṣṭhira then laments at length, implying that the fall of his brothers makes their aims and pledges seem futile.