Shloka 21
एवमुक्त: प्रत्युवाच विजयो भरतर्षभ । सत्येन ते शपे राजन् प्रसादेन तथैव च । भीमेन च नरश्रेष्ठ यमा भ्यां च महीपते
evam uktaḥ pratyuvāca vijayo bharatarṣabha | satyena te śape rājan prasādena tathaiva ca | bhīmena ca naraśreṣṭha yamābhyāṃ ca mahīpate ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Nang masabihan nang gayon, sumagot si Vijaya (Arjuna): “O hari! O toro sa mga Bharata! Sumusumpa ako sa iyo sa mismong Katotohanan, at gayundin sa iyong mahabaging pagpapala; sumusumpa rin ako kay Bhīma, at sa kambal na anak ni Yama (Nakula at Sahadeva), o panginoon ng lupa. Hinahawakan ko ang aking busog bilang saksi ng panata, at ipinahahayag ko sa katotohanan: ngayong araw sa labanan, alinman sa mapapatay ko si Karṇa, o ako naman ang mapapatay at babagsak sa lupa.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of a kṣatriya’s vow: truth (satya) is treated as a sacred witness, and one’s word—sealed by revered persons and by one’s weapon—must be upheld even at the cost of life. It frames resolve and accountability as central to righteous conduct in war.
In Sañjaya’s report to the king, Arjuna responds to a challenge or provocation by taking a solemn oath. He swears by truth, by the king’s favor, and by his brothers (Bhīma and the twins), touches his bow to sanctify the pledge, and declares that he will either kill Karṇa that day or die in the attempt.