Shloka 43
द्रौणि-पार्षतयोर्युद्धम् | The Duel of Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi) and Dhṛṣṭadyumna (Pārṣata
सतुतंविरथं कृत्वा स्मयन्नत्यन्तवैरिणम्
satutam virathaṃ kṛtvā smayann atyantavairiṇam
Sañjaya berkata: Setelah menjadikannya tanpa kereta, dia tersenyum kepada musuh yang paling tak terdamaikan itu—suatu isyarat yang, dalam etika medan perang yang keras, menandakan penguasaan dan juga penghinaan yang disengajakan terhadap lawan yang permusuhannya telah memuncak.
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.