Shloka 13
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 19 — Saṃśaptaka–Trigarta Assault and Aindra-astra Counter
आभाष्य चैनं मधुरमभीतं तमभीतवत् | प्राह प्रहरतां श्रेष्ठ: स्मितपूर्व समाह्दयत्,साथ ही उन निर्भय नरेशको मधुर वाणीमें सम्बोधित करके योद्धाओंमें श्रेष्ठ अश्वत्थामाने मुसकराकर युद्धके लिये उनका आह्वान करते हुए निर्भीकके समान कहा --
ābhāṣya cainaṁ madhuram abhītaṁ tam abhītavat | prāha praharatāṁ śreṣṭhaḥ smitapūrvaṁ samāhṛdayat ||
Sañjaya said: Addressing him with gentle, pleasing words—though he was fearless—Aśvatthāmā, foremost among fighters, first smiled and then, as if himself unafraid, called him forth to battle and spoke.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the heat of war, the verse highlights a code of conduct: a warrior may issue a challenge firmly yet with controlled speech—madhura-vāk—suggesting restraint, composure, and a disciplined courage rather than uncontrolled rage.
Sañjaya narrates that Aśvatthāmā, described as foremost among fighters, addresses a fearless king/opponent with pleasing words, smiles, and then calls him forward—formally inviting or challenging him to engage in battle.