Shloka 42
Draupadī-apaharaṇa-saṃdeśaḥ
Report of Draupadī’s Abduction and the Pāṇḍavas’ Pursuit
अथवा ते भयं जात॑ दृष्टवार्जुनपराक्रमम् । सत्यं ते प्रतिजानामि वधिष्यामि रणे<र्जुनम्
athavā te bhayaṃ jātaṃ dṛṣṭvārjuna-parākramam | satyaṃ te pratijānāmi vadhiṣyāmi raṇe 'rjunam ||
“یا اگر ارجن کی دلیری دیکھ کر تمہارے دل میں خوف پیدا ہوا ہے، تو میں تم سے سچی قسم کھا کر کہتا ہوں—میں میدانِ جنگ میں ارجن کو ضرور قتل کروں گا۔”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral force of a pratijñā (solemn vow): speech is treated as binding, especially when offered to remove another’s fear. Even in a warlike context, the emphasis is on truthfulness and accountability for one’s declared intent.
A speaker addresses someone who may be frightened after seeing Arjuna’s martial prowess and offers reassurance by making a firm promise—declaring that he will kill Arjuna in battle—thereby attempting to steady the listener’s resolve.