Shloka 11
घटोत्कच-कर्णयुद्धम्
Ghaṭotkaca–Karna Combat and the Release of Śakti
अभयं सिन्धुराजाय दत्त्वा द्रोण: परंतप: । प्रादात् किरीटिने द्वारं पश्य निर्गुणतां मयि
abhayaṃ sindhurājāya dattvā droṇaḥ paraṃtapaḥ | prādāt kirīṭine dvāraṃ paśya nirguṇatāṃ mayi ||
Sañjaya said: Having granted safety to the king of Sindhu, Droṇa—the scorcher of foes—then opened a passage for the diadem-wearing Arjuna. Behold my own lack of discernment and worth: I can only report how the mighty, even amid war, still make room for mercy and strategic necessity.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the harsh setting of battle, a warrior-leader may still extend 'abhaya' (assurance of safety) and act with restraint; the verse also highlights Sañjaya’s humility as a narrator, acknowledging his limitations while reporting morally charged actions.
Sañjaya reports that Droṇa first granted protection to the king of Sindhu (Jayadratha) and then provided an opening or passage for Arjuna (Kirīṭin), indicating a tactical shift on the battlefield alongside an act framed as granting safety.