Shloka 25
अश्वत्थामन् पुनः शीघ्रमस्त्रमेतत् प्रयोजय । अवस्थिता हि पज्चाला: पुनरेते जयैषिण:
Aśvatthāman punaḥ śīghram astram etat prayojaya | avasthitā hi pāñcālāḥ punar ete jayaiṣiṇaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “Aśvatthāman, quickly employ this weapon again. For the Pāñcālas are still standing firm, and they are once more intent on victory.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the war-mindset of urgency and escalation: when opponents remain resolute and victory-driven, commanders press for stronger measures. Ethically, it points to how the desire for victory can push combatants toward repeated and intensified use of destructive means.
Sañjaya reports an instruction directed to Aśvatthāman to quickly deploy a particular weapon again, because the Pāñcāla forces have not broken and are still firmly positioned, continuing to strive for victory.