Shloka 11
घटोत्कच-कर्णयुद्धम्
Ghaṭotkaca–Karna Combat and the Release of Śakti
अभयं सिन्धुराजाय दत्त्वा द्रोण: परंतप: । प्रादात् किरीटिने द्वारं पश्य निर्गुणतां मयि
abhayaṃ sindhurājāya dattvā droṇaḥ paraṃtapaḥ | prādāt kirīṭine dvāraṃ paśya nirguṇatāṃ mayi ||
サञ्जयは言った。シンドゥ王に無畏を与えたのち、敵を灼くドローナは、冠を戴くアルジュナのために陣中への通路を開いた。見よ、我が身の見識の乏しさと無価値を――私はただ伝えるのみだ。戦のただ中にあってさえ、強者は慈悲と策の必然のために道を譲ることがある、と。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the harsh setting of battle, a warrior-leader may still extend 'abhaya' (assurance of safety) and act with restraint; the verse also highlights Sañjaya’s humility as a narrator, acknowledging his limitations while reporting morally charged actions.
Sañjaya reports that Droṇa first granted protection to the king of Sindhu (Jayadratha) and then provided an opening or passage for Arjuna (Kirīṭin), indicating a tactical shift on the battlefield alongside an act framed as granting safety.