Shloka 50
Adhyāya 16: Saṃśaptaka-vrata and the Diversion of Arjuna (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६)
ततो<वहारं चक्कुस्ते द्रोणदुर्योधनादय: । तान् विदित्वा पुनस्त्रस्तानयुद्धमनस: परान्
tato ’vahāraṃ cakuste droṇaduryodhanādayaḥ | tān viditvā punas trastān ayuddhamanasaḥ parān |
Sañjaya dit : Alors Droṇa, Duryodhana et les autres conçurent une ruse. Ayant compris que leurs adversaires s’étaient de nouveau effrayés et n’étaient plus résolus à combattre, ils voulurent tirer parti de cette hésitation—par la manœuvre et l’artifice plutôt que par l’affrontement direct, montrant ainsi comment la peur peut ronger le devoir du guerrier et appeler, en temps de guerre, des conseils d’opportunité.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and loss of resolve undermine dharma in battle: when warriors become ayuddha-manasaḥ (unwilling to fight), adversaries may resort to calculated stratagems. It implicitly warns that ethical steadiness and courage are crucial, because wavering invites manipulation and escalates tactical opportunism.
Sañjaya reports that Droṇa, Duryodhana, and their allies devise a tactical maneuver after perceiving that the opposing side has again become frightened and mentally withdrawn from fighting. They plan to take advantage of that momentary weakness.