Shloka 413
अजिशीर्षे प्रातःसंध्यायां संग्रामवर्णनम् / Dawn-Transition Battle at Ajiśīrṣa
Chapter 161
अश्वत्थामानमासाद्य वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह । उस समय राजा दुर्योधनने कर्णका पराक्रम देख अश्वत्थामाके पास पहुँचकर यह बात कही--
aśvatthāmānam āsādya vākyam etad uvāca ha |
Sañjaya berkata: Setelah mendekati Aśvatthāmā, dia mengucapkan kata-kata ini. Di tengah pertempuran, Duryodhana—melihat keperkasaan Karṇa—pergi kepada Aśvatthāmā dan berbicara kepadanya, hendak membentuk haluan tindakan melalui nasihat dan perintah.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a wartime ethical dynamic: leaders respond to perceived valor by seeking alliances and issuing counsel, showing how strategy and authority operate amid dharma-bound conflict.
Sañjaya narrates that Duryodhana, impressed by Karṇa’s performance, goes to Aśvatthāmā and begins to speak—introducing the next instruction or request in the unfolding battle episode.