Shloka 573
अध्याय १ — न्यग्रोधवनोपवेशनम् तथा द्रौणिनिश्चयः
Night at the Banyan and Drauṇi’s Resolve
नोत्तरं प्रतिपद्येतां तत्र युक्त हिया वृतौ । जागनेपर महामनस्वी महाबली कृपाचार्य और कृतवर्माने जब अभश्रृत्थामाका निश्चय सुना, तब वे लज्जासे गड़ गये और उन्हें कोई उचित उत्तर नहीं सूझा
nottara 43 pratipadyet01 43 tatra yukta-hiy01 vttau | j01gare 63u mah01manasv2b mah01bal2b k5bp01c01rya5b ca k5btavarm01 ca yad015bvath01mna 25 ni5bcaya 43 5bru 47vanta 25, tad01 lajjay01 g01 0dha 43 jagmu 25, na ca te 6301 43 ki 43cid uttara 43 pratyapadyata ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Di sana, fikiran mereka goncang dan tingkah laku mereka terikat, sehingga mereka tidak menemukan jawapan. Ketika Kripa dan Kritavarman—yang berjiwa besar dan berkuasa—mendengar tekad Aśvatthāman, rasa malu menimpa mereka; mereka terdiam, tidak mampu mengucapkan balasan yang wajar.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights moral paralysis: when a proposed action carries ethical stain, even powerful and respected figures may be silenced by shame. It underscores the Mahabharata theme that loyalty to allies does not erase responsibility to dharma.
After hearing Ashvatthama 25 0da 25 declare his determined plan (in the Sauptika night context), Kripa and Kritavarman are overcome with embarrassment and inner conflict. They cannot offer a suitable response, indicating unease about the course being set.