Shloka 26
श्रान्ता भवन्तो निद्रान्धा: सर्व एव सवाहना: । तमसा च वृते सैन्ये रजसा बहुलेन च,'सैनिको! तुम सब लोग अपने वाहनोंसहित थक गये हो और नींदसे अन्धे हो रहे हो। इधर यह सारी सेना घोर अन्धकार और बहुत-सी धूलसे ढक गयी है। अतः यदि तुम ठीक समझो तो युद्ध बंद कर दो और दो घड़ीतक इस रणभूमिमें ही सो लो
sañjaya uvāca |
śrāntā bhavanto nidrāndhāḥ sarva eva savāhanāḥ |
tamasā ca vṛte sainye rajasā bahulena ca ||
श्रान्ता भवन्तो निद्रान्धाः सर्व एव सवाहनाः । तमसा च वृते सैन्ये रजसा बहुलेन च ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid war, judgment must account for human limits and battlefield realities; when exhaustion, darkness, and confusion prevail, restraint and a pause can be the more ethical and effective course than blind continuation.
Sañjaya reports that the troops, along with their mounts and vehicles, have become exhausted and drowsy, while the army is obscured by darkness and heavy dust—conditions that make fighting ineffective and dangerous—prompting counsel to halt and rest briefly.