Shloka 40
Nārāyaṇāstra-utpātaḥ — Aśvatthāman’s Rallying Roar after Droṇa’s Fall (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६७)
स च्छिन्नधन्वा विरथ: शीर्णवर्मा शरार्दित: । अपायासीदू रणात् तूर्ण धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिर:,इस प्रकार धनुष कट जाने, रथ नष्ट होने और कवच छित्न-भिन्न हो जानेपर बाणोंसे पीड़ित हुए धर्मपुत्र युधिष्ठिर तुरंत ही युद्धसे पलायन कर गये
sa cchinnadhanvā virathaḥ śīrṇavarmā śarārditaḥ | apāyāsīd raṇāt tūṛṇaṃ dharmaputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
Sañjaya said: With his bow cut down, his chariot lost, his armour shattered, and tormented by arrows, Dharmaputra Yudhiṣṭhira quickly withdrew from the battlefield. The moment underscores the harsh ethics of war: even the righteous, when stripped of means and protection, may be compelled to retreat to preserve life and continue the larger duty of sustaining dharma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that dharma in war is not merely heroic persistence; when one is disarmed and unprotected, retreat can be a pragmatic choice to preserve life and continue one’s broader responsibility. It also reminds that righteousness does not grant invulnerability—ethical agents still face physical limits.
Sañjaya reports that Yudhiṣṭhira’s bow has been cut, his chariot is lost, his armour is broken, and he is wounded by arrows; therefore he swiftly withdraws from the battle.