Shloka 43
द्रौणि-पार्षतयोर्युद्धम् | The Duel of Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi) and Dhṛṣṭadyumna (Pārṣata
सतुतंविरथं कृत्वा स्मयन्नत्यन्तवैरिणम्
satutam virathaṃ kṛtvā smayann atyantavairiṇam
Sañjaya dit : L’ayant réduit à l’état de guerrier sans char, il sourit à cet ennemi des plus implacables — geste qui, dans la rude éthique du champ de bataille, signifie à la fois la maîtrise et l’humiliation voulue d’un adversaire dont la haine avait atteint son comble.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The line highlights a battlefield ethic where stripping an opponent of his chariot signifies dominance; the smile underscores the psychological dimension of war—victory is not only physical but also moral and emotional, raising questions about restraint and dignity even amid justified combat.
Sañjaya reports that a warrior has been made chariotless (viratha), and the victor smiles at his fiercest enemy—indicating a turning point in the duel where one side gains a clear advantage and asserts it openly.