Shloka 1223
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
नातिदीर्घमिवाध्वानं शरै: संत्रासयन् बलम् | अर्जुन भागते हुए अभश्वत्थामाके पीछे-पीछे अपने बाणोंद्वारा कौरव-सेनाको संत्रस्त करते हुए कुछ दूरतक गये
nātidīrgham ivādhvānaṁ śaraiḥ saṁtrāsayan balam | arjunaḥ bhāgate 'bhyaśvatthāmānaṁ paścāt-paścāt śaraiḥ kaurava-senāṁ saṁtrāsayan kiñcid dūraṁ yayau ||
सञ्जय उवाच—नातिदीर्घमिवाध्वानं शरैः संत्रासयन् बलम्। पलायमानमश्वत्थामानं पृष्ठतः पृष्ठतः समन्वयन् अर्जुनः कौरवसेनां बाणैः संत्रासयन् किञ्चिद्दूरं जगाम॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid war, force is to be directed with discernment: Arjuna’s pursuit is purposeful and measured—aimed at restraining a dangerous foe rather than indulging uncontrolled rage against the wider host.
Aśvatthāmā is fleeing, and Arjuna follows him for some distance. As he pursues, Arjuna shoots arrows that panic and scatter the Kaurava troops, while Sañjaya reports the action to Dhṛtarāṣṭra.