Shloka 8
अमोघशक्तिव्यंसनप्रश्नः — Why Karṇa’s Śakti Was Not Used on Arjuna
सर्वेषु योधेषु च संगतेषु रात्रौ समेतेषु महारथेषु । संलोड्यमानेषु पृथग्बलेषु के वस्तदानीं मतिमन्त आसन्,रात्रिके समय जब समस्त योद्धा और महारथी एकत्र होकर परस्पर जूझ रहे थे और पृथक्ू-पृथक् सेनाओंका मन्न्थन हो रहा था, उस समय तुमलोगोंमेंसे किन-किन बुद्धिमानोंकी बुद्धि ठिकाने रह सकी?
sarveṣu yodheṣu ca saṅgateṣu rātrau sameteṣu mahārathēṣu | saṃloḍyamāneṣu pṛthag-baleṣu ke vastadānīṃ matimanta āsan ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “When all the warriors had closed in together, when night had fallen and the great chariot-fighters were assembled, and when the separate divisions of the armies were being churned and thrown into confusion—who among you, at that time, still kept a steady, discerning mind?”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the chaos of war—especially at night when confusion peaks—true wisdom is shown by steadiness of mind and clear discernment. The verse highlights the ethical value of self-control and sound judgment under extreme pressure.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra asks Sañjaya to identify who among the combatants remained truly clear-minded during a night engagement, when elite warriors converged and the army formations were violently mixed and disordered.