Shloka 13
संजयने कहा--प्रभो! चेदिदेशके युवराज, पौरव वृद्धक्षत्र तथा बाणोंके प्रयोगमें कुशल मालवराज सुदर्शनके मारे जानेपर धूृष्टद्युम्मन, सात्यकि और भीमसेनके परास्त हो जानेपर अर्जुनके मनमें बड़ा कष्ट हुआ था। इसके सिवा, युधिष्ठिरके उन व्यंगवचनोंसे उनके मर्मस्थलमें बड़ी चोट पहुँची थी और पहलेके दुःखोंका स्मरण करके भी उनका हृदय फट गया था; अतः: अधिक खेदके कारण अर्जुनके मनमें अभूतपूर्व क्रोध जाग उठा || १०-- १२ || तस्मादनर्हमशलीलमप्रियं द्रौणिमुक्तवान् | मान्यमाचार्यतनयं रूक्ष॑ं कापुरुषं यथा,इसीलिये माननीय आचार्यपुत्र अश्वत्थामाके प्रति, जो कठोर वचन सुननेके योग्य नहीं था, अर्जुनने कायर मनुष्यसे कहनेयोग्य अश्लील, अप्रिय और कठोर बातें कह डालीं
tasmād anarham aśalīlam apriyaṃ drauṇim uktavān | mānyam ācārya-tanayaṃ rūksaṃ kāpuruṣaṃ yathā ||
Therefore Arjuna spoke to Droṇa’s son (Aśvatthāman) words that were unworthy—indecent and unpleasant. Though he was the revered son of the teacher, not fit to be addressed with harsh speech, Arjuna uttered to him crude, bitter remarks such as one would hurl at a coward. The verse highlights how grief and wounded pride can drive even a noble warrior into ethically blameworthy speech.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in righteous warfare, dharma governs speech: insulting, indecent, and harsh words are ethically improper, especially toward one who is socially and morally ‘mānya’ (worthy of honor). The verse warns that anger born of sorrow can make a virtuous person violate propriety (vāg-dharma).
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna, overwhelmed by grief and agitation, addresses Aśvatthāman (Droṇa’s son) with unbefitting, harsh, and insulting words—language likened to what one would say to a coward—despite Aśvatthāman’s status as the revered teacher’s son.