Shloka 36
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 19 — Saṃśaptaka–Trigarta Assault and Aindra-astra Counter
अस्त्रैरस्त्राणि संवार्य छित्त्वा सर्वायुधानि च । प्राप्तमप्यहितं द्रौणिन जघान रणेप्सया,इस प्रकार अस्त्रोंद्वारा पाण्ड्यके अस्त्रोंका निवारण करके अभश्व॒त्थामाने उनके सारे आयुध काट डाले, तथापि युद्धकी अभिलाषासे उसने अपने वशमें आये हुए शत्रुका भी वध नहीं किया
astrair astrāṇi saṃvārya chittvā sarvāyudhāni ca | prāptam apy ahitaṃ drauṇiṃ na jaghāna raṇepsayā ||
Sañjaya said: Countering weapon with weapon, and cutting down all his arms, he still did not slay Droṇa’s son—though the foe had fallen into his power. Even amid the urge for battle, he restrained himself from killing an enemy who was already subdued, suggesting a warrior’s ethic that distinguishes victory and disarmament from needless slaughter.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights restraint in warfare: even when an enemy is disarmed and within one’s power, dharmic conduct may require refraining from killing, separating legitimate combat from needless slaughter.
In the battle account narrated by Sañjaya, the warrior counters Aśvatthāman’s missiles with his own, cuts down all of Aśvatthāman’s weapons, yet does not kill him despite having the advantage.