Shloka 36
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 19 — Saṃśaptaka–Trigarta Assault and Aindra-astra Counter
अस्त्रैरस्त्राणि संवार्य छित्त्वा सर्वायुधानि च । प्राप्तमप्यहितं द्रौणिन जघान रणेप्सया
astrair astrāṇi saṃvārya chittvā sarvāyudhāni ca | prāptam apy ahitaṃ drauṇiṃ na jaghāna raṇepsayā ||
ଅସ୍ତ୍ରଦ୍ୱାରା ଅସ୍ତ୍ରକୁ ପ୍ରତିହତ କରି ଏବଂ ତାହାର ସମସ୍ତ ଆୟୁଧ କାଟି ଦେଇଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ, ଯୁଦ୍ଧାଭିଲାଷ ଥିଲା ସତ୍ତ୍ୱେ ନିଜ ବଶରେ ପଡ଼ିଥିବା ଦ୍ରୋଣପୁତ୍ର ଅଶ୍ୱତ୍ଥାମାକୁ ସେ ବଧ କଲା ନାହିଁ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights restraint in warfare: even when an enemy is disarmed and within one’s power, dharmic conduct may require refraining from killing, separating legitimate combat from needless slaughter.
In the battle account narrated by Sañjaya, the warrior counters Aśvatthāman’s missiles with his own, cuts down all of Aśvatthāman’s weapons, yet does not kill him despite having the advantage.