Shloka 165
Nārāyaṇāstra-utpātaḥ — Aśvatthāman’s Rallying Roar after Droṇa’s Fall (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६७)
इति श्रीमहाभारते द्रोणपर्वणि घटोत्कचवधपर्वणि रात्रियुद्धे युधिष्ठिरापयानं नाम पज्चषष्ट्यधिकशततमो<ध्याय:
iti śrīmahābhārate droṇaparvaṇi ghaṭotkacavadhaparvaṇi rātriyuddhe yudhiṣṭhirāpayānaṃ nāma pañcaṣaṣṭyadhikaśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ
وهكذا، في «شري مهابهاراتا»، ضمن «درونا بارفا»—في قسم مقتل غَطوتكَتشا، أثناء قتال الليل—تنتهي الفصل الخامس والستون بعد المئة، المعنون «انسحاب يودهيشثيرا».
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
As a chapter-colophon, the verse itself teaches indirectly: even in a dharma-framed war, leaders may be compelled to withdraw when circumstances become overwhelming. Ethical warfare includes prudence—preserving life and regrouping can be a responsible choice rather than mere cowardice.
This line marks the formal close of a chapter in the Droṇa Parva, situated in the night-battle episode and within the sub-section on Ghaṭotkaca’s death. The chapter is titled “Yudhiṣṭhira’s Withdrawal,” indicating that the preceding narrative described Yudhiṣṭhira’s retreat/departure in the course of the nocturnal fighting.