Mahabharata (Gita Press) 7.13.22 - Drona Parva, Adhyaya 13, Shloka 22
Droṇa’s sweeping assault and the Abhimanyu–Jayadratha close-quarters episode (द्रोणस्य भीषणव्यचरितम् / सौभद्र-जयद्रथ-संनिपातः)
आस्तां ते स्तिमिते सेने रक्ष्यमाणे परस्परम् । सम्प्रसुप्ते यथा नक्तं वनराज्यौ सुपुष्पिते
āstāṁ te stimitē sēnē rakṣyamāṇē parasparam | samprasuptē yathā naktaṁ vanarājyau supuṣpitē, āptair āśu parijñātaṁ bhāradvāja-cikīrṣitam ||
Sañjaya sprach: O König, lass jene Heere so stehen—reglos, einander gegenüber—einander wechselseitig bewachend. Sie glichen zwei Waldkämmen, reich an Blüten, die man nachts sieht, als schliefen sie. Indessen wurde durch zuverlässige Kundschafter rasch und klar erkannt, was Bhāradvāja (Droṇa) zu vollbringen gedachte.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid war, discernment and vigilance matter: intentions are uncovered through trustworthy means, and calm readiness—mutual guarding without rash movement—can be a strategic and ethical necessity when a grave threat is perceived.
Sañjaya describes a tense pause: the two armies stand facing each other, still and watchful. At the same time, Droṇa’s intended plan (Bhāradvāja’s purpose) becomes quickly known through reliable informants, setting the stage for the next tactical moves.
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