Shloka 12
अध्याय ७१ — द्रोणव्यूहरक्षा तथा समकालीन द्वन्द्वयुद्धानि
Protection of Droṇa’s formation and parallel duels
शूरो वीर: कृतार्थश्न प्रताप्पारीन्ू सहस्रश: । अभिमन्युर्गतो वीर: पृतनाभिमुखो हत:
śūro vīraḥ kṛtārthaś ca pratāpavān sahasraśaḥ | abhimanyur gato vīraḥ pṛtanābhimukho hataḥ ||
ヴィヤーサは語った。「その英雄の戦士は—目的を成就し、武威に輝き—敵を幾千と討ち倒した。だが勇士アビマンニュは、戦場のただ中で敵軍の大陣に正面から臨み、軍前にて討たれ、死へと赴いた。」
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata’s moral realism: personal valor and fulfilled duty (kṛtārtha) do not shield one from death in war. It implicitly warns that when battle becomes collective and ruthless, the ethical safeguards meant to protect a lone warrior can collapse, making even exemplary courage vulnerable.
Vyāsa reports that Abhimanyu, though a heroic and highly effective fighter who had cut down enemies in great numbers, was ultimately killed while confronting the opposing army head-on. It marks the tragic culmination of his stand in the battlefield amid overwhelming forces.