Shloka 24
Pāṇḍya-vadha-anantaram Arjunasya Pravṛttiḥ
Arjuna’s Response and the Renewed Battle
नियम्य स हयान् द्रौणि: समाश्चास्य च मारिष । रथाश्वनरसम्बाधं कर्णस्य प्राविशद् बलम्
niyamya sa hayān drauṇiḥ samāś cāsya ca māriṣa | rathāśvanarasambādhaṃ karṇasya prāviśad balam ||
Sañjaya said: Having reined in his horses and, O venerable one, allowing them a brief respite to recover, Droṇa’s son Aśvatthāmā then entered Karṇa’s host—densely packed with chariots, horses, and foot-soldiers.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in violent conflict, effective action depends on self-control and measured judgment: Aśvatthāmā first restrains and refreshes his horses, showing disciplined leadership rather than reckless haste.
After briefly halting to steady and rest his horses, Aśvatthāmā (Droṇa’s son) advances into Karṇa’s densely crowded battle formation filled with chariots, cavalry, and infantry.