Shloka 56
Adhyāya 104 — Śikhaṇḍin-puraskāraḥ (Śikhaṇḍin as Vanguard) and Bhīṣma’s Counter-Advance
विव्याध च सुतीक्ष्णेन पृषत्केन महामृथे । परीप्सन् स्वसुतं राजन् वार्ष्णेयेनाभिपीडितम्,राजन्! उस महायुद्धमें सात्यकिद्वारा पीड़ित हुए अपने पुत्रकी रक्षा करनेके लिये आचार्यने तीखे बाणसे उन्हें घायल कर दिया
vivyādha ca sutīkṣṇena pṛṣatkena mahāmṛdhe | parīpsan svasutaṃ rājan vārṣṇeyenābhipīḍitam ||
রাজন! সেই মহাযুদ্ধে বৃষ্ণিবংশীয় সাত্যকির দ্বারা পীড়িত নিজের পুত্রকে রক্ষা করতে উদ্যত হয়ে আচার্য দ্রোণ তীক্ষ্ণ বাণে তাকে বিদ্ধ করলেন।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical strain of warfare: personal attachments (a father's concern for his son) can override ideals of impartial conduct, even for a revered teacher. It invites reflection on how dharma becomes complex when duty, affection, and survival intersect on the battlefield.
During the great battle, Aśvatthāman is being heavily attacked by Sātyaki. Droṇa, intent on saving his son, shoots a sharp arrow and wounds the assailant, intervening directly to relieve the pressure.