Mahabharata 7.167.40 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 167, Shloka 40
Nārāyaṇāstra-utpātaḥ — Aśvatthāman’s Rallying Roar after Droṇa’s Fall (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६७)
स च्छिन्नधन्वा विरथ: शीर्णवर्मा शरार्दित: । अपायासीदू रणात् तूर्ण धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिर:
sa cchinnadhanvā virathaḥ śīrṇavarmā śarārditaḥ | apāyāsīd raṇāt tūṛṇaṃ dharmaputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
ครั้นคันศรถูกตัด รถศึกสูญสิ้น เกราะแตกยับ และถูกศรทิ่มแทงจนระทม ธรรมบุตรยุธิษฐิระก็รีบถอนตัวออกจากสมรภูมิ
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that dharma in war is not merely heroic persistence; when one is disarmed and unprotected, retreat can be a pragmatic choice to preserve life and continue one’s broader responsibility. It also reminds that righteousness does not grant invulnerability—ethical agents still face physical limits.
Sañjaya reports that Yudhiṣṭhira’s bow has been cut, his chariot is lost, his armour is broken, and he is wounded by arrows; therefore he swiftly withdraws from the battle.
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