Shloka 187
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
ततः: पराड्मुखनृपं सैन्यं यौधिष्ठटिरं नूप,नरेश्वर! फिर तो युधिष्ठिरकी सेनाके सभी नरेश युद्धसे विमुख हो गये। उस सेनाको परास्त करके वीर द्रोणपुत्र रणभूमिमें गर्जना करने लगा। भारत! उस समय सम्पूर्ण प्राणियोंमें अश्वत्थामाका बड़ा समादर हुआ। आपके पुत्रोंने भी उसका बड़ा सम्मान किया
tataḥ parāṅmukha-nṛpaṃ sainyaṃ yudhiṣṭhira-rakṣitam, nṛpa nareśvara! tato yudhiṣṭhirasya senāyāḥ sarve nṛpā yuddhāt vimukhā abhavan. tāṃ senāṃ parājitya vīro droṇaputro raṇabhūmau garjanāṃ cakāra. bhārata! tasmin kāle sarva-prāṇiṣu aśvatthāmnaḥ mahān samādaraḥ abhavat. tava putrā api tasya mahāntaṃ satkāraṃ cakruḥ.
Sañjaya said: Then, O king, the army protected by Yudhiṣṭhira—its rulers turning their faces away—became averse to battle. Having routed that host, the valiant son of Droṇa (Aśvatthāman) roared on the battlefield. O Bhārata, at that time Aśvatthāman came to be held in great esteem among all beings, and your sons too paid him marked honor.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how battlefield success quickly generates public esteem and political honor, while also exposing the fragility of morale: when leaders turn away from duty, an army collapses. Ethically, it underscores the tension between celebrating martial prowess and the broader dharmic cost of war.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Yudhiṣṭhira’s side became battle-averse and was routed. Aśvatthāman, son of Droṇa, defeats that force and roars in triumph on the field; his reputation rises, and the Kauravas honor him.