Shloka 62
सो5तिविद्धो महेष्वासो नानालिड्रैरमर्षण: । युयुधानेन वै द्रौणि: प्रहसन् वाक्यमब्रवीत्,जब युयुधानने नाना प्रकारके चिह्लोंवाले बाणोंद्वारा महाधनुर्धर अश्वत्थामाको अत्यन्त घायल कर दिया, तब उसने अमर्षमें भरकर उनसे हँसते हुए कहा--
so 'tividdho maheṣvāso nānāliṅgair amarṣaṇaḥ | yuyudhānena vai drauṇiḥ prahasan vākyam abravīt ||
Sañjaya said: Though pierced severely, the great archer Aśvatthāmā—son of Droṇa—endured no insult. Struck by Yuyudhāna with arrows bearing many distinctive marks, he, filled with wrath, laughed and spoke to him. The scene underscores the warrior code in which pain is met with defiant composure, and anger is expressed through words and renewed challenge rather than retreat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a kṣatriya ideal: even when grievously wounded, a warrior maintains outward composure and answers challenge with resolve. It also shows how anger (amarṣa) can coexist with controlled, strategic speech—an ethical tension between honor-driven restraint and the escalation of violence.
During the battle, Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki) strikes Aśvatthāmā with many marked arrows, wounding him severely. Aśvatthāmā, enraged yet laughing in defiance, addresses Yuyudhāna—setting up a verbal challenge and the next phase of their combat.