Shloka 13
द्रौणि-पार्षतयोर्युद्धम् | The Duel of Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi) and Dhṛṣṭadyumna (Pārṣata
शमकाम: ससोदर्यों दीर्घप्रेक्षी युधिष्ठिर: । अशक्त इति मत्वा तु मम पुत्रैर्निराकृत:,दूरदर्शी युधिष्ठिर अपने भाइयोंसहित संधिकी अभिलाषा रखते थे; परंतु उन्हें असमर्थ मानकर मेरे पुत्रोंने उनकी बात ठुकरा दी
śamakāmaḥ sa-sodaryaḥ dīrghaprekṣī yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | aśakta iti matvā tu mama putrair nirākṛtaḥ ||
शमकामः ससोदर्यो दीर्घप्रेक्षी युधिष्ठिरः । अशक्त इति मत्वा तु मम पुत्रैर्निराकृतः ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
A dharmic leader seeks peace with foresight, but when opponents mistake restraint for weakness, they may reject reconciliation—showing how arrogance and misjudgment can intensify conflict and moral downfall.
Sañjaya reports that Yudhiṣṭhira, with his brothers, wished for a settlement; however, Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons dismissed the offer, believing him incapable—thereby closing the door to peace.