Shloka 19
Adhyāya 36: Ghora-yuddha-varṇanam
A Clinical Description of the Intensified Engagement
न नूनमस्त्राणि बल॑ पराक्रम: क्रिया: सुनीतं परमायुधानि वा । अलं मनुष्यस्य सुखाय वर्तितुं तथा हि युद्धे निहतः परैर्गुरु:
na nūnam astrāṇi balaṁ parākramaḥ kriyāḥ sunītaṁ paramāyudhāni vā | alaṁ manuṣyasya sukhāya vartituṁ tathā hi yuddhe nihataḥ parair guruḥ ||
Sanjaya berkata: “Sungguh, senjata, kekuatan, keberanian, tindakan yang terampil, siasat yang baik, bahkan persenjataan terbaik pun tidak cukup untuk menjamin kebahagiaan manusia; sebab meski semua itu ada, sang guru tetap dibunuh musuh dalam perang.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Worldly supports—arms, strength, bravery, skill, and even wise strategy—cannot guarantee happiness or security; in war especially, outcomes can overturn merit and preparation, as shown by the fall of the revered teacher.
Sañjaya reflects on the grim reality of the battlefield: despite possessing every martial advantage and being a great preceptor, the guru (Droṇa) was nevertheless killed by enemies, underscoring the precariousness of human plans in war.