Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
ययौ नरेन्द्रे: सह सोदरैश्न समाप्तकर्मा शिबिरं निशायाम् | धनंजय भी शत्रुओंको जीतकर एवं लोकमें सुयश और सुकीर्ति पाकर भाइयों तथा राजाओंके साथ सारा कार्य समाप्त करके निशाके आरम्भमें अपने शिविरको लौट गये
yayau narendreḥ saha sodaraiś ca samāptakarmā śibiraṃ niśāyām | dhanañjayo hi śatrūn jitvā evaṃ loke suyaśaḥ sukīrtiṃ ca prāpya bhrātṛbhiḥ saha rājabhiś ca sarvaṃ kāryaṃ samāpya niśāyā ārambhe svaśibiraṃ pratyāgāt ||
Sañjaya said: When the day’s work was finished, Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), having overcome the enemies and thereby gaining good fame and lasting renown in the world, returned at the beginning of night to his own camp, accompanied by his brothers and the kings. The verse underscores the warrior’s duty carried through to completion and the moral weight of reputation earned through disciplined action in battle.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights disciplined completion of one’s appointed duty (karma) and the ethical significance of earned reputation: victory is not merely conquest, but action carried through responsibly, resulting in honorable fame (suyaśas) and lasting renown (sukīrti).
After finishing the day’s military engagements and defeating enemies, Arjuna, accompanied by his brothers and allied kings, returns to his own camp at the onset of night; it functions as a closing movement marking the end of a battle episode.