Shloka 313
न्यपातयंस्तदा युद्धे नरा: सम विजयैषिण: । जो हाथकी पकड़में आ गये या छू गये, वे अपने हों या पराये, विजयकी इच्छा रखनेवाले मनुष्य उन्हें तत्काल युद्धमें मार गिराते थे
nyapātayaṃs tadā yuddhe narāḥ samā vijayaiṣiṇaḥ | yo hastakī-pakaḍa-meṃ ā gaye yā chū gaye, ve apane hoṃ yā parāye, vijayakī icchā rakhanevāle manuṣya unheṃ tatkāl yuddha-meṃ mār girāte the |
तदा युद्धे विजयैषिणो नराः ये केचिद् हस्तगताः स्पृष्टा वा आसन्, स्वकीया वा परकीया वा, तान् क्षणादेव न्यपातयन्।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how obsession with victory in war can override moral discrimination: in the heat of combat, mere closeness becomes grounds for killing, and the usual distinctions of ‘ours’ and ‘theirs’ collapse. It implicitly warns that victory-seeking, when unchecked by dharma, intensifies cruelty and indiscriminate violence.
Sañjaya describes the ferocity of the fighting: warriors eager to win are cutting down anyone who comes within reach or even contact, regardless of side. It is a snapshot of chaotic close-quarters combat where survival and conquest dominate decision-making.