भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
ततो द्रोणं महेष्वासं गाड़ेयस्य प्रिये रतम्
tato droṇaṃ maheṣvāsaṃ gāḍeyasya priye ratam
ثم أخذ سنجيا يذكر درونا، الرامي العظيم، بوصفه منكبًّا بإخلاص على ما كان محبوبًا لدى غاديَة—إشارةً إلى أن درونا قد اصطفّ مع تلك الشخصية وسعى سعيًا فعّالًا إلى المقاصد التي كانت تعزّها، في خضمّ مجريات الحرب المتصاعدة.
संजय उवाच
The line foregrounds how a warrior’s conduct in war is shaped by allegiance and commitment—being 'rata' (devoted/engaged) in what is 'priya' (dear) to an associated leader or cause—raising ethical reflection on loyalty as a driving force in dharmic and adharmic outcomes.
Sanjaya continues his battlefield narration by pointing out Droṇa, describing him as a mighty archer and indicating that he is actively engaged in pursuing what is dear to 'Gāḍeya', i.e., acting in alignment with that person’s favored aim or side in the conflict.