Shloka 16
भीमसेनस्तु सत्रीडमुपेत्य द्रोणमाहवे । अश्वत्थामा हत इति शब्दमुच्चैश्न॒कार ह,उसे मारकर भीमसेन लजाते-लजाते युद्धस्थलमें द्रोणाचार्यके पास गये और बड़े जोरसे बोले--'अश्व॒त्थामा मारा गया
bhīmasenas tu satrīḍam upetya droṇam āhave | aśvatthāmā hata iti śabdam uccaiḥ cakāra ha ||
サンジャヤは言った。「そののちビーマセーナは、ためらいと羞恥をあらわにしつつ戦場のドローナに近づき、声高く叫んだ。『アシュヴァッターマンは討たれた！』――それはドローナの決意を揺さぶり、父としての執着を戦の道義的圧力の中で利用するために放たれた、計算された言葉であった。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical strain of war: even righteous aims can lead to morally ambiguous tactics. It foregrounds the tension between truthfulness and strategic necessity, and shows how attachment (Droṇa’s love for his son) can become a vulnerability that others may exploit, raising questions about dharma under extreme circumstances.
Bhīma approaches Droṇa in the midst of battle and loudly announces that “Aśvatthāmā has been slain.” The proclamation is intended to unsettle Droṇa by suggesting his son is dead, thereby weakening Droṇa’s fighting spirit and influencing the course of the battle.