Shloka 11
Duryodhana’s Anxiety, Bhīṣma’s Reassurance, and Renewed Mobilization (दुर्योधनचिन्ता–भीष्मप्रत्याश्वासन–सेनानिर्गमनम्)
तथैव च शरान् द्रौणि: प्रविमुज्चन्नविह्नल: । तस्थौ स समरे राजंस्त्रातुमिच्छन् महाव्रतम्
tathaiva ca śarān drauṇiḥ pravimuñcann avihvalaḥ | tasthau sa samare rājan trātum icchan mahāvratam ||
Sañjaya sprach: Dennoch blieb Droṇas Sohn (Aśvatthāmā) unerschüttert und ließ wie zuvor Pfeile fliegen. O König, er stand fest im Kampfgetümmel, entschlossen, sein großes Gelübde zu wahren.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness under pressure: a warrior’s ethical self-conception is tied to keeping a solemn vow (vrata) and maintaining composure (avihvala) even amid chaos. It frames resolve as a moral force that sustains duty in war.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Aśvatthāman continues to rain arrows without faltering and remains planted in the battle, motivated by the desire to protect or uphold a significant vow he has undertaken.