Shloka 24
हन्यमानमथात्मानं परेभ्यो बहवो जना: । नाभ्यजानन्त समरे निद्रया मोहिता भृूशम्,बहुत-से मनुष्य निद्रासे अत्यन्त मोहित हो जानेके कारण शत्रुओंकी ओरसे समरभूमिमें अपनेको जो मारनेकी चेष्टा होती थी, उसे समझ ही नहीं पाते थे
hanyamānam athātmānaṃ parebhyo bahavo janāḥ | nābhyajānanta samare nidrayā mohitā bhṛśam ||
हन्यमानमथात्मानं परेभ्यो बहवो जनाः । नाभ्यजानन्त समरे निद्रया मोहिता भृशम् ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how moha (bewilderment)—here caused by overpowering sleep—destroys discernment. In an ethical sense, it warns that negligence and loss of awareness can make a person fail to recognize imminent harm and duty, especially amid the moral chaos of war.
Sañjaya describes a battlefield moment where many fighters, overcome by drowsiness, do not even realize that enemies are attacking them. Their impaired awareness makes them unable to respond appropriately to the threat.