Shloka 24
हन्यमानमथात्मानं परेभ्यो बहवो जना: । नाभ्यजानन्त समरे निद्रया मोहिता भृूशम्,बहुत-से मनुष्य निद्रासे अत्यन्त मोहित हो जानेके कारण शत्रुओंकी ओरसे समरभूमिमें अपनेको जो मारनेकी चेष्टा होती थी, उसे समझ ही नहीं पाते थे
hanyamānam athātmānaṃ parebhyo bahavo janāḥ | nābhyajānanta samare nidrayā mohitā bhṛśam ||
Sañjaya berkata: Ramai orang, pancaindera mereka diselubungi berat oleh lena, gagal menyedari di medan perang bahawa pihak musuh sedang berusaha membunuh mereka; maka, walaupun diserang, mereka tidak benar-benar menangkap bahaya itu. Rangkap ini menegaskan bahawa kelalaian dan kekeliruan dalam perang boleh membuat seseorang buta terhadap ancaman serta-merta—baik jasmani mahupun moral.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how moha (bewilderment)—here caused by overpowering sleep—destroys discernment. In an ethical sense, it warns that negligence and loss of awareness can make a person fail to recognize imminent harm and duty, especially amid the moral chaos of war.
Sañjaya describes a battlefield moment where many fighters, overcome by drowsiness, do not even realize that enemies are attacking them. Their impaired awareness makes them unable to respond appropriately to the threat.