Shloka 51
Adhyāya 16: Saṃśaptaka-vrata and the Diversion of Arjuna (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६)
स्वान्यनीकानि बीभत्सु: शनकैरवहारयत् | तब द्रोणाचार्य और दुर्योधन आदिने अपनी सेनाको पीछे लौटा लिया। शत्रुओंका मन अब युद्धसे हट गया है और वे बहुत डर गये हैं, यह जानकर अर्जुनने भी धीरे-धीरे अपनी सेनाओंको युद्धभूमिसे हटा लिया ।। ततोऊभितुष्टवुः पार्थ प्रह्ष्टा: पाण्ड्संंजया:
svāny anīkāni bībhatsuḥ śanakair avahārayat | tato droṇācāryaḥ duryodhana-ādibhiḥ saha svāṁ senāṁ pratyāhārayat | śatrūṇāṁ mano ’dya yuddhāt nivṛttaṁ bhītaṁ ca iti jñātvā arjuno ’pi śanaiḥ śanaiḥ svāni balāni raṇabhūmeḥ apākarṣat || tato ’bhitustu vuḥ pārthaṁ prahṛṣṭāḥ pāṇḍu-sañjayāḥ ||
শত্ৰুপক্ষৰ মন যুদ্ধৰ পৰা আঁতৰি গৈছে আৰু তেওঁলোক ভয়ত কঁপি উঠিছে বুলি জানি, বীভৎসু অৰ্জুনেও ধীৰে ধীৰে নিজৰ ব্যূহসমূহ ৰণভূমিৰ পৰা আঁতৰাই নিলে। তেতিয়া পাণ্ডৱ আৰু সৃঞ্জয়গণ হৰ্ষিত হৈ পাৰ্থৰ প্ৰশংসা কৰিলে।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined restraint in warfare: a leader should read the enemy’s morale and avoid needless escalation. Ethical command includes knowing when to disengage, preserving forces and preventing further harm when the opponent’s will to fight has already collapsed.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna, recognizing the enemy’s fear and loss of resolve, slowly pulls back his formations. In response, Droṇa and Duryodhana also withdraw their troops. The Pāṇḍava side, pleased by Arjuna’s conduct and success, praises him.