Shloka 17
ततस्तौ पुरुषव्याप्रौ सर्वलोकथधनुर्धरौ । त्यक्तप्राणौ रणे वीरौ युद्धश्रममुपागतौ । समुत्क्षेपैवीज्यमानौ सिक्तौ चन्दनवारिणा
tatastau puruṣavyāghrau sarvalokātha dhanurdharau | tyaktaprāṇau raṇe vīrau yuddhaśramamupāgatau | samutkṣepairvījyamānau siktau candanavāriṇā ||
Sañjaya dijo: Entonces aquellos dos hombres, tigres entre los mortales—tenidos por el mundo entero como los más excelsos arqueros—habiendo apostado la vida en la batalla, se vieron vencidos por el cansancio de la guerra. Los abanicaron con abanicos alzados y los rociaron con agua perfumada de sándalo: un breve y digno respiro en medio de las incesantes exigencias del combate.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the greatest heroes, though committed to their chosen duty in war, remain human—subject to exhaustion and in need of care. The verse highlights the ethical tension of battle: life is risked for perceived duty, yet compassion and restoration still have a place amid violence.
Sañjaya describes two eminent archers who, after intense fighting and risking their lives, become weary. Attendants (or companions) fan them and sprinkle them with sandal-scented water, indicating a short pause and recovery before the conflict continues.