Shloka 87
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
अश्वत्थामा ततो राज्ञा हताश्वं विरथीकृतम् तमपोवाह हार्दिक्यं स्वरथेन युधिष्ठिरात्,इसके बाद अभश्व॒त्थामा अपने रथके द्वारा घोड़ोंके मारे जानेसे रथहीन हुए कृतवर्माको राजा युधिष्ठिरके पाससे दूर हटा ले गया
aśvatthāmā tato rājñā hatāśvaṁ virathīkṛtam | tam apovāha hārdikyaṁ svarathena yudhiṣṭhirāt ||
三阇耶说道：其后，阿湿婆他摩乘自己的战车，将哈尔迪迦（克利塔跋摩）从由提施提罗王身旁拖离——哈尔迪迦的战马已被射杀，遂成无车之人。战势逼迫之中，此举显出同袍的当下之责：护全盟友性命，在其暴露脆弱之时将他带回安全之处。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid violent conflict, a warrior’s immediate dharma includes safeguarding comrades who are suddenly exposed—here, removing a chariotless ally from imminent danger reflects loyalty, responsibility, and practical battlefield ethics.
Kṛtavarmā (Hārdikya) has lost his horses and is effectively without a fighting chariot near Yudhiṣṭhira. Aśvatthāmā brings his own chariot and pulls him away from Yudhiṣṭhira to save him and reposition him.