Shloka 44
भूमिष्ठमथ तं संख्ये सम्प्रदृश्य तत: पुन: । परिवार्य भृशं सर्वे ग्रहीतुमुपचक्रमु:,तदनन्तर इरावान्को भूमिपर स्थित देख वे सभी सुबलपुत्र युद्धमें उसे पुन: भलीभाँति घेरकर बन्दी बनानेकी तैयारी करने लगे
bhūmiṣṭham atha taṃ saṅkhye sampradṛśya tataḥ punaḥ | parivārya bhṛśaṃ sarve grahītum upacakramuḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing him again lying on the ground in the thick of battle, all of them surrounded him tightly and began preparing to seize him alive. The scene underscores the harsh pragmatics of war—where even a fallen foe becomes an object of tactical capture rather than compassion.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the strategic mindset of warfare: once an opponent is down, combatants may seek capture rather than immediate killing, reflecting battlefield pragmatism and the complex ethics of kṣatriya conduct where victory can involve restraint, control, and advantage rather than sheer slaughter.
In the midst of battle, a warrior is seen fallen on the ground. The surrounding fighters close in tightly and begin efforts to take him captive, indicating a coordinated attempt to secure a living prisoner.