Shloka 16
Abhimanyu’s Śrāddha; Vyāsa’s Assurance of the Unborn Heir (अभिमन्योः श्राद्धं तथा गर्भरक्षणोपदेशः)
न तेन विकृतं वक्त्र कृतं संग्राममूर्धनि
na tena vikṛtaṃ vaktraṃ kṛtaṃ saṃgrāmamūrdhani
न तेन विकृतं वक्त्रं कृतं संग्राममूर्धनि।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights inner steadiness as an ethical ideal: even amid the extremity of war, a noble person maintains self-control and does not let fear, anger, or panic visibly deform the mind and body. It implies that true valor includes restraint and dignity, not merely force.
Vaiśampāyana describes a warrior (implied from context) whose countenance remains unchanged at the very climax of combat. The line functions as a characterizing detail, praising steadfast courage and unshaken resolve during a critical moment in battle.