Shloka 21
Pṛthā’s Atithi-Sevā and the Gift of the Deva-Āhvāna Mantra (पृथायाः अतिथिसेवा तथा देवाह्वानमन्त्रप्रदानम्)
तथा तान् द्रवतो योधान् दृष्टवा तौ दूषणानुजौ | अवस्थाप्याथ सौमित्रिं संक्रुद्धावभ्यधावताम्,अपने उन सैनिकोंको इस प्रकार भागते देख दूषणके दोनों भाई--वज़वेग और प्रमाथीने किसी प्रकार उन्हें रोककर खड़ा किया और अत्यन्त कुपित हो सुमित्राकुमार लक्ष्मणपर धावा बोल दिया
tathā tān dravato yodhān dṛṣṭvā tau dūṣaṇānujau | avasthāpyātha saumitriṁ saṁkruddhāv abhyadhāvatām ||
Seeing those warriors fleeing in that manner, the two younger brothers of Dūṣaṇa somehow halted them and made them stand their ground; then, inflamed with anger, they charged straight at Saumitri Lakṣmaṇa. The passage highlights how wrath and wounded pride can drive combatants to force others back into violence, intensifying the moral peril of battle.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how anger and pride can override discernment in war: leaders may compel frightened soldiers back into danger, escalating violence. It implicitly warns that emotional agitation (krodha) can become a driver of adharma by pushing actions beyond measured duty.
Two brothers of Dūṣaṇa see their warriors fleeing. They stop the retreat, force the troops to stand, and then—both enraged—rush to attack Lakṣmaṇa, identified as Saumitri (son of Sumitrā).