Shloka 21
अध्याय ३१ — द्रोणानीके तुमुलसंग्रामः
The Tumultuous Battle around Droṇa’s Formation
नील किं बहुभिर्दग्वैस्तव योधे: शरार्चिषा । मयैकेन हि युध्यस्व क्रुद्ध: प्रहर चाशु माम्,“नील! तुमको बाणोंकी ज्वालासे इन बहुत-से योद्धाओंको दग्ध करनेसे क्या लाभ? तुम अकेले मुझसे ही युद्ध करो और कुपित होकर मेरे ऊपर शीघ्र प्रहार करो”
nīla kiṁ bahubhir dagdhvais tava yodhaiḥ śarārcīṣā | mayaikena hi yudhyasva kruddhaḥ prahara cāśu mām ||
Sañjaya said: “O Nīla, what is the use of scorching these many warriors of yours with the flame of arrows? Fight with me alone. In anger, strike me quickly.” In the heat of battle, the challenge redirects violence from the many to a single, willing opponent—an appeal to martial propriety and focused combat rather than indiscriminate slaughter.
संजय उवाच