Shloka 32
भीष्मशिबिरगमनम् — Duryodhana’s Visit to Bhīṣma’s Camp and the Command Appeal
हन्यन्ते समरे सर्वे तथा नीतिर्विधीयताम् । तब उन्हें सेनाके भीतर प्रविष्ट हुआ देख पराक्रमी इरावानने भी समरभूमिमें भयंकर अस्त्र-शस्त्रवाले अपने विचित्र योद्धाओंसे कहा--“वीरो! तुम सब लोग संग्राममें ऐसी नीति बना लो, जिससे दुर्योधनके ये समस्त योद्धा अपने सेवकों और सवारियोंसहित मार डाले जाये ।। ३०-३१ ह ।। बाढमित्येवमुक्त्वा ते सर्वे योधा इरावत:
hanyante samare sarve tathā nītir vidhīyatām |
Sañjaya said: “All are being slain in the battle; therefore let a sound strategy be put into effect.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The line underscores that in the chaos of war, action should not be random; one should proceed with nīti—disciplined, deliberate strategy—rather than uncontrolled violence. It reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension between necessary martial action and the ethical demand for ordered, accountable conduct.
Sañjaya, narrating events to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, remarks that fighters are being killed on all sides and calls for a definite battle-policy to be implemented—an observation that frames the ensuing tactical moves in the battlefield account.