Shloka 30

Devanagari script

यदा द्रोणो न शक्नोति पाण्डवं सम विशेषितुम्‌

Transliteration

yadā droṇo na śaknoti pāṇḍavaṃ samaviśeṣitum

Translation

قال سانجيا: «حين لا يعود درونا قادرًا على قهر ذلك الباندڤا ونيل تفوّقٍ حاسمٍ عليه…»

Word by Word

• यदा: when
• यदा: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदा
• Form: Temporal adverb

• द्रोणः: Drona
• द्रोणः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रोण
• Form: Masculine, nominative, singular

• न: not
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न
• Form: Negation particle

• शक्नोति: is able (to)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शक्
• Form: Present tense (Lat), parasmaipada, 3rd person, singular

• पाण्डवम्: the Pandava (son of Pandu)
• पाण्डवम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डव
• Form: Masculine, accusative, singular

• सम्: completely/together (as a preverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्
• Form: Upasarga (preverb)

• विशेषितुम्: to distinguish, to single out
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + शिष्
• Form: Tumun (infinitive), active sense

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Droṇa
• Pāṇḍava
• Sañjaya

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights a moral and strategic reality of war: even the greatest teacher-warrior meets limits. Ethical reflection arises from recognizing that prowess alone does not guarantee victory; circumstances, dharma, and the opponent’s merit can restrain even a formidable commander.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya begins describing a moment in the battle where Droṇa cannot secure clear superiority over a Pāṇḍava warrior. The line functions as a narrative hinge, preparing the listener for a change in tactics or escalation prompted by Droṇa’s inability to dominate the encounter.