Somadatta’s Kṣātra-Dharma Accusation; Night Combat, Māyā, and the Fall of Ghaṭotkaca
Droṇa-parva, Adhyāya 131
तस्य त॑ निनदं श्रुत्वा प्रह्ष्टो $ भूद् युधिष्ठिर: । कर्ण पराजितं मत्वा भीमसेनेन संयुगे,भीमसेनका वह महान् सिंहनाद सुनकर उनके द्वारा युद्धमें कर्णको पराजित हुआ जान राजा युधिष्ठिर बड़े प्रसन्न हुए
tasya tu ninadaṃ śrutvā prahṛṣṭo 'bhūd yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | karṇaṃ parājitaṃ matvā bhīmasenena saṃyuge ||
सञ्जय उवाच—तस्य तं निनदं श्रुत्वा प्रहृष्टोऽभूद् युधिष्ठिरः । कर्णं पराजितं मत्वा भीमसेनेन संयुगे ॥
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how perception and morale shape conduct in war: a single battle-cry can transform a leader’s emotional state and strategic hope. Ethically, it also shows the tension between dharmic restraint and the human relief felt when a dangerous opponent seems subdued.
Sañjaya reports that Yudhiṣṭhira hears a powerful roar (associated with Bhīma) and, interpreting it as a sign of success, concludes that Bhīma has defeated Karṇa in their combat; this makes Yudhiṣṭhira very happy.