Shloka 45
Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
आश्चर्य चापि तद् राजन् सर्वसैन्यान्यपूजयन्
āścaryaṃ cāpi tad rājan sarvasainyāny apūjayan
Sañjaya said: “O King, it was indeed a marvel—(they) honored all the armies.” The line highlights an unexpected moment of public recognition amid the harsh ethics of war, where even in conflict the act of honoring forces suggests a deliberate assertion of order, morale, and royal duty.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even within warfare, conduct is expected to follow a code: honoring troops reflects royal responsibility, maintenance of morale, and a dharmic emphasis on order and respect rather than mere violence.
Sañjaya reports to the king that a surprising event occurred: all the armies were honored—suggesting a formal act of recognition or ceremonial respect taking place amid the ongoing conflict.