Shloka 43
द्रौणि-पार्षतयोर्युद्धम् | The Duel of Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi) and Dhṛṣṭadyumna (Pārṣata
सतुतंविरथं कृत्वा स्मयन्नत्यन्तवैरिणम्
satutam virathaṃ kṛtvā smayann atyantavairiṇam
サンジャヤは語った。敵を無車の身としたのち、彼はその最も執念深き仇敵に向かって微笑んだ。戦場の苛烈な掟において、それは勝者の支配を示すと同時に、憎悪が極みに達した敵をあえて辱める意図のしるしであった。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The line highlights a battlefield ethic where stripping an opponent of his chariot signifies dominance; the smile underscores the psychological dimension of war—victory is not only physical but also moral and emotional, raising questions about restraint and dignity even amid justified combat.
Sañjaya reports that a warrior has been made chariotless (viratha), and the victor smiles at his fiercest enemy—indicating a turning point in the duel where one side gains a clear advantage and asserts it openly.