Shloka 16
त्रिपुरदाह-इतिहासः
Tripura-destruction exemplum and counsel to Śalya
तावुभौ विरथौ वीरौ कुरूणां कीर्तिवर्धनौ | व्यपाक्रमेतां युद्धात्तु प्रेक्षमाणी परस्परम्,कुरुकुलकी कीर्ति बढ़ानेवाले वे दोनों वीर रथहीन हो एक-दूसरेको देखते हुए युद्धस्थलसे हट गये
tāv ubhau virathau vīrau kurūṇāṁ kīrtivardhanau | vyapākrametāṁ yuddhāt tu prekṣamāṇī parasparam ||
サञ्जयは言った。「その二人の勇士は、いまや戦車を失いながらもクル族の名声を高め、互いを見据えつつ戦場から退いた――恐れによる退却ではなく、戦う足場を失ったのちに訪れる、規律ある間合いの静止であった。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid violent conflict, the epic highlights regulated warrior-ethics: when a combatant loses the essential means of fighting (here, the chariot), stepping back can be an act of discipline and honor rather than cowardice—preserving dharma and reputation.
Sañjaya reports that two renowned Kuru warriors have become chariotless and therefore withdraw from the immediate fighting, still watching one another closely—signaling a temporary break in their engagement rather than a complete end to hostility.