Shloka 1413
अर्जुनस्य शीघ्रप्रयाणं भीम-शकुनियुद्धं च
Arjuna’s Rapid Advance and the Bhīma–Śakuni Encounter
अपोवाह रणात् सूतो रक्षमाणो धनंजयात् | महाराज! उस आघातसे भारी मूर्च्छामें पड़कर अश्वत्थामा ध्वजदण्डके सहारे लुढ़क गया। शत्रुसे अत्यन्त पीड़ित एवं अचेत हुए अश्वत्थामाको उसका सारथि अर्जुनसे उसकी रक्षा करता हुआ रणभूमिसे दूर हटा ले गया
apo vāha raṇāt sūto rakṣamāṇo dhanañjayāt | mahārāja! asyāghātāt bhārī mūrcchāyāṁ patitvā aśvatthāmā dhvajadaṇḍasya sahāyena luṭhitaḥ | śatrunā atyantaṁ pīḍitaḥ aceto bhūtvā aśvatthāmānaṁ tasya sārathiḥ arjunāt rakṣan raṇabhūmeḥ dūraṁ apāvahat |
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai Maharaja, sais kereta, sambil melindungi Aśvatthāmā daripada Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), memacu kereta menjauh dari medan perang. Dipukul oleh hentaman itu, Aśvatthāmā jatuh pengsan berat lalu rebah, tergolek sambil berpaut pada tiang panji kereta. Diseksa musuh hingga tidak sedarkan diri, dia dilindungi oleh pemandunya dan dibawa jauh dari gelanggang.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid war, the duty of care persists: attendants and allies must protect the incapacitated. The episode highlights the ethical impulse to preserve life and withdraw the unconscious from immediate danger, showing that dharma operates not only through combat but also through protection and restraint.
After being struck, Ashvatthama falls into a deep swoon and collapses against the chariot’s flagstaff. His charioteer, guarding him from Arjuna, drives him away from the battlefield to safety.