Shloka 11
उलूकदूतवाक्यम् / Ulūka’s Message to the Pāṇḍavas
कृत्वा प्रतिज्ञां नाहत्वा निवर्तिष्ये जनार्दनम्
kṛtvā pratijñāṃ nāhatvā nivartiṣye janārdanam
ویشَمپایَن نے کہا—“یہ عہد کر کے میں جناردن کو مارے بغیر واپس نہ لوٹوں گا۔”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral weight of a vow (pratijñā): once a promise is made, it can compel action even when the target is a revered figure like Kṛṣṇa (Janārdana). It invites reflection on whether one should make absolute vows in anger or pride, since dharma may later demand restraint or reconsideration.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, a speaker declares an uncompromising resolve: he will not retreat until he has struck down Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa). The statement functions as a dramatic escalation, signaling hostility toward Kṛṣṇa and emphasizing the intensity of the conflict and the speaker’s fixation on fulfilling his pledge.