Shloka 18
सुभद्राहरणम्
Subhadrā-haraṇa: Arjuna’s Taking of Subhadrā and the Dvārakā Assembly’s Response
अनादृत्य तु राजानं गते मयि न संशय: । अजाततशशत्रोर्नुपतेर्मम चैवानृतं भवेत्,“यदि राजाका अनादर करके मैं घरके भीतर चला जाऊँ, तो महाराज अजातशत्रुके प्रति मेरी प्रतिज्ञा मिथ्या होगी
anādṛtya tu rājānaṃ gate mayi na saṃśayaḥ | ajātaśatroḥ nṛpater mama caivānṛtaṃ bhavet ||
หากข้าพเจ้าละเลยพระราชาแล้วเดินเข้าไปข้างใน ก็ไม่ต้องสงสัยเลยว่า คำมั่นของข้าพเจ้าจะกลายเป็นเท็จ—ทั้งต่อพระเจ้าอชาตศัตรูและต่อตัวข้าพเจ้าเอง
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes satya (truthfulness) and dharmic consistency: one must not act in a way that makes one’s pledged word ‘anṛta’ (false). Respecting rightful authority and maintaining integrity in conduct are presented as ethical necessities.
The speaker reflects on a contemplated action—going inside while disregarding the king—and concludes that such behavior would amount to a breach of promise and propriety, rendering his commitment false in relation to King Ajātaśatru and to his own moral standing.