Shloka 87
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
अश्वत्थामा ततो राज्ञा हताश्वं विरथीकृतम् तमपोवाह हार्दिक्यं स्वरथेन युधिष्ठिरात्
aśvatthāmā tato rājñā hatāśvaṁ virathīkṛtam | tam apovāha hārdikyaṁ svarathena yudhiṣṭhirāt ||
Sañjaya dijo: Después Aśvatthāmā, con su propio carro, apartó a Hārdikya (Kṛtavarmā) de la presencia del rey Yudhiṣṭhira, pues Hārdikya, privado de sus caballos, había quedado sin carro. En el apremio de la guerra, este acto muestra el deber inmediato del compañero: preservar la vida del aliado y devolverlo a lugar seguro cuando está expuesto y vulnerable.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid violent conflict, a warrior’s immediate dharma includes safeguarding comrades who are suddenly exposed—here, removing a chariotless ally from imminent danger reflects loyalty, responsibility, and practical battlefield ethics.
Kṛtavarmā (Hārdikya) has lost his horses and is effectively without a fighting chariot near Yudhiṣṭhira. Aśvatthāmā brings his own chariot and pulls him away from Yudhiṣṭhira to save him and reposition him.