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 said: Thereupon Droṇa, Duryodhana, and the others devised a stratagem. Realizing that their opponents had again become frightened and were no longer resolved to fight, they sought to exploit that wavering—using tactical maneuver rather than straightforward combat, and revealing how fear can erode martial duty and invite opportunistic counsel in war.
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allies devise a tactical maneuver after perceiving that the opposing side has again become frightened and mentally withdrawn from fighting.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.