Shloka 35
Droṇa–Vidura–Gāndhārī Counsel in the Royal Assembly (धर्मार्थयुक्ता सभा-उपदेश-प्रकरणम्)
प्रतिज्ञां वितथां कुर्यामिति राजन् पुन: पुनः । विशेषततस्त्वदर्थ च प्रतिज्ञां कृतवानहम्
pratijñāṃ vitathāṃ kuryām iti rājan punaḥ punaḥ | viśeṣatas tvadarthaṃ ca pratijñāṃ kṛtavān aham ||
Bhīṣma nói: “Tâu Đại vương, ta cứ tự nhắc mình hết lần này đến lần khác: ‘Chớ để lời thề của ta trở thành hư dối.’ Và chính vì ngài mà ta đã lập lời thệ nguyện trang nghiêm ấy.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes dharma as fidelity to one’s vow: a pledge must not be allowed to become ‘vitathā’ (false). It also highlights the ethical weight of promises made for another’s welfare, where loyalty and truthfulness are treated as binding moral duties.
Bhīṣma addresses the king and explains his inner resolve: he repeatedly reminded himself not to invalidate his vow, and he underscores that he undertook this pledge particularly for the king’s sake—framing his conduct as deliberate, duty-bound commitment.