Shloka 165
Nārāyaṇāstra-utpātaḥ — Aśvatthāman’s Rallying Roar after Droṇa’s Fall (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६७)
इति श्रीमहाभारते द्रोणपर्वणि घटोत्कचवधपर्वणि रात्रियुद्धे युधिष्ठिरापयानं नाम पज्चषष्ट्यधिकशततमो<ध्याय:
iti śrīmahābhārate droṇaparvaṇi ghaṭotkacavadhaparvaṇi rātriyuddhe yudhiṣṭhirāpayānaṃ nāma pañcaṣaṣṭyadhikaśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ
Thus, in the Śrī Mahābhārata, within the Droṇa Parva—specifically in the section on the slaying of Ghaṭotkaca, during the night-battle—ends the one-hundred-and-sixty-fifth chapter, entitled “Yudhiṣṭhira’s Withdrawal.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
As a chapter-colophon, the verse itself teaches indirectly: even in a dharma-framed war, leaders may be compelled to withdraw when circumstances become overwhelming. Ethical warfare includes prudence—preserving life and regrouping can be a responsible choice rather than mere cowardice.
This line marks the formal close of a chapter in the Droṇa Parva, situated in the night-battle episode and within the sub-section on Ghaṭotkaca’s death. The chapter is titled “Yudhiṣṭhira’s Withdrawal,” indicating that the preceding narrative described Yudhiṣṭhira’s retreat/departure in the course of the nocturnal fighting.