अजिशीर्षे प्रातःसंध्यायां संग्रामवर्णनम् / Dawn-Transition Battle at Ajiśīrṣa
Chapter 161
अश्वत्थामानमासाद्य वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह । उस समय राजा दुर्योधनने कर्णका पराक्रम देख अश्वत्थामाके पास पहुँचकर यह बात कही--
aśvatthāmānam āsādya vākyam etad uvāca ha |
सञ्जय उवाच—अश्वत्थामानमासाद्य दुर्योधनः कर्णस्य पराक्रमं दृष्ट्वा वाक्यमेतदुवाच। रणमध्ये स तं समीपं गत्वा परामर्शार्थं च नियोगार्थं च समभाषत।
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights a wartime ethical dynamic: leaders respond to perceived valor by seeking alliances and issuing counsel, showing how strategy and authority operate amid dharma-bound conflict.
Sañjaya narrates that Duryodhana, impressed by Karṇa’s performance, goes to Aśvatthāmā and begins to speak—introducing the next instruction or request in the unfolding battle episode.