Shloka 91
अजिशीर्षे प्रातःसंध्यायां संग्रामवर्णनम् / Dawn-Transition Battle at Ajiśīrṣa
Chapter 161
पज्चालान् सोमकांश्चैव जहि द्रौणे सहानुगान् । वयं शेषान् हनिष्यामस्त्वयैव परिरक्षिता:,द्रोणकुमार! तुम अनुगामियोंसहित पांचालों और सोमकोंको मार डालो; फिर तुमसे ही सुरक्षित हो हमलोग अपने शेष शत्रुओंका संहार कर डालेंगे
pāñcālān somakāṃś caiva jahi drauṇe sahānugān | vayaṃ śeṣān haniṣyāmas tvayaiva parirakṣitāḥ ||
Duryodhana said: “O son of Droṇa, strike down the Pāñcālas and the Somakas, together with all their followers. With you alone guarding us, we shall then destroy the remaining enemies.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how strategic thinking in war can slide into adharma when it becomes a plan for indiscriminate killing under the cover of protection. It exposes the ethical corrosion of leadership that treats allies and followers as targets to be eliminated wholesale, prioritizing victory over righteous conduct.
Duryodhana orders Aśvatthāmā (Drauṇi) to kill the Pāñcāla and Somaka forces along with their followers, while the Kauravas—relying on Aśvatthāmā’s protection—intend to finish off whoever remains among their enemies.