अर्जुनो भीमसेनश्व योधो यो रक्षिता रणे | धृष्टद्युम्नस्य तं संख्ये निहनिष्यामि सायकै:,“अर्जुन और भीमसेन आदि जो योद्धा रणभूमिमें धृष्टद्युम्नकी रक्षा करेगा, उसे मैं युद्धस्थलमें अपने बाणोंद्वारा मार डालूँगा”
sañjaya uvāca | arjuno bhīmasenaś ca yodho yo rakṣitā raṇe | dhṛṣṭadyumnasya taṃ saṅkhye nihaniṣyāmi sāyakaiḥ ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: “Maging si Arjuna, si Bhimasena, o sinumang mandirigmang sa gitna ng labanan ay tumayong tagapagtanggol ni Dhṛṣṭadyumna—siya, sa mismong larangan ng digmaan, ay pababagsakin ko sa aking mga palaso.”
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how, in war, dharma as ‘protection of one’s ally’ and dharma as ‘fulfilling one’s martial vow’ collide. It underscores the ethical tension of the battlefield: righteous loyalty can provoke equally determined opposition, and vows harden conflict into personal, targeted enmity.
A combatant (reported by Sanjaya) declares that whoever—Arjuna, Bhima, or any other—steps forward to defend Dhrishtadyumna in battle will be killed with arrows. It is a threat and vow aimed at isolating Dhrishtadyumna by deterring or eliminating his protectors.