Shloka 43
कर्णपर्व — चतुर्दशोऽध्यायः
Arjuna’s Suppression of the Saṃśaptakas; Kṛṣṇa’s Strategic Admonition; Battlefield Inventory
ततस्तु सारथिर्ञात्वा द्रोणपुत्रमचेतनम् । अपोवाह रणाद्ू राजन् सर्वसैन्यस्य पश्यत:,राजन! तत्पश्चात् सारथि द्रोणपुत्रको अचेत जानकर सारी सेनाके देखते-देखते उसे रणक्षेत्रसे बाहर हटा ले गया
tatastu sārathir jñātvā droṇaputram acetanam | apovāha raṇād rājan sarvasainyasya paśyataḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then the charioteer, realizing that Droṇa’s son had fallen unconscious, drew him away from the battlefield, O King, while the entire army looked on.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights role-based dharma: a charioteer’s responsibility is not only to drive in combat but also to safeguard the warrior when he becomes incapable—removing him from danger even if it appears like retreat before the watching army.
Aśvatthāmā (Droṇa’s son) has become unconscious in battle. His charioteer recognizes this and promptly takes him away from the battlefield, in full view of the assembled forces.