द्रोणविक्रमदर्शनम् / The Display of Droṇa’s Onslaught and the Debate on Pāṇḍava Regrouping
तावकाश्न महाराज जयं लब्ध्वा महाहवे । पाण्डवेयान् रणे जष्नुर्द्रवमाणान् समन््ततः,महाराज! आपके पुत्रोंने उस महासमरमें विजय प्राप्त करके सब ओर भागते हुए पाण्डव-योद्धाओंको मारना आरम्भ किया
tāvakāś ca mahārāja jayaṁ labdhvā mahāhave | pāṇḍaveyān raṇe jaghnur dravamāṇān samantataḥ ||
Sañjaya said: O King, your sons, having gained the upper hand in that great battle, began to strike down the Pāṇḍava warriors as they fled in disorder on every side. The verse underscores how a momentary advantage in war can turn into relentless pursuit, raising the ethical tension between battlefield success and the harshness shown toward a routed foe.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the moral strain of warfare: victory can quickly become ruthless pursuit. It invites reflection on kṣatriya-dharma—whether force used against a retreating enemy remains within righteous conduct or slips into excess driven by triumph and anger.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava side has gained an advantage in the fighting, and that Kaurava warriors begin killing Pāṇḍava fighters who are scattering and fleeing in all directions.