Shloka 12
Droṇa’s Withdrawal, Death, and the Kaurava Rout (द्रोणनिधन-प्रसङ्गः)
उवाच सर्वाश्चव पदातिसड्घान् दुर्योधन: पार्थिव सान्त्वपूर्वम् । उत्सृज्य सर्वे परमायुधानि गृह्नीत हस्तैज्वलितान् प्रदीपान्,पृथ्वीनाथ! उस समय दुर्योधनने समस्त पैदल सैनिकोंसे सान्त्वनापूर्ण वचनोंमें कहा --वीरो! तुम सब लोग उत्तम आयुध छोड़कर अपने हाथोंमें जलती हुई मशालें ले लो'
sañjaya uvāca |
uvāca sarvāṃś ca padātisaṅghān duryodhanaḥ pārthiva sāntvapūrvam |
utsṛjya sarve paramāyudhāni gṛhṇīta hastair jvalitān pradīpān ||
Sañjaya berkata: Ketika itu Raja Duryodhana menenangkan seluruh pasukan pejalan kaki dengan kata-kata yang memujuk: “Wahai para pahlawan! Ketepikan senjata terbaik kamu, dan peganglah obor yang menyala-nyala di tangan.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, effective leadership sometimes requires calming speech and non-lethal measures to restore clarity and discipline. The verse highlights how reassurance (sāntva) and practical control (light/torches) can prevent panic and indiscriminate harm in chaotic conditions.
Sanjaya reports that Duryodhana, addressing the infantry, tells them to put down their best weapons and instead hold flaming torches. This indicates a tactical response—likely to illuminate the battlefield, identify allies/enemies, and reorganize troops amid confusion.