Shloka 20
वासवी-शक्तेः प्रयोगः, घटोत्कच-वधोत्तर-शोकः, व्यासोपदेशश्च
The Vāsavī Spear’s Use, Post-Ghaṭotkaca Grief, and Vyāsa’s Counsel
अपयास्यसि चेत्युक्त्वा रणं॑ मुक्तो भविष्यसि । एवमाभाष्य चान्योन्यं क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनौ
apayāsyasi cety uktvā raṇaṁ mukto bhaviṣyasi | evam ābhāṣya cānyonyaṁ krodha-saṁrakta-locanau
अपयास्यसि चेत्युक्त्वा रणं मुक्तो भविष्यसि । एवमाभाष्य चान्योन्यं क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनौ ॥
सयजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger colors perception and speech: mutual provocation in war-talk (“withdraw and be spared”) intensifies hostility, showing the ethical danger of krodha in decision-making and dialogue.
Sañjaya reports a tense exchange between two combatants: one asserts that retreat would mean release from the fight, and the two address each other sharply, their anger visibly expressed through reddened eyes.