Shloka 40
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 25 — Bhīma’s Disruption of Elephant Formations and Bhagadatta’s Shock Advance
दुर्मुखस्तु महेष्वासो वीरं पुरुजितं बली । द्रोणायाभिमुखं यान्तं वत्सदन्तैरवारयत्,महाधनुर्धर बलवान् दुर्मुखने द्रोणाचार्यके सामने जाते हुए वीर पुरुजित॒को वत्सदन्तोंके प्रहारद्वारा रोक दिया
durmukhastu maheṣvāso vīraṃ purujitaṃ balī | droṇāyābhimukhaṃ yāntaṃ vatsadantair avārayat |
Sañjaya sprach: Durmukha, der große Bogenschütze und mächtige Krieger, stellte sich dem Helden Purujit entgegen, als dieser geradewegs auf Droṇa zustürmte, und hielt ihn mit Schlägen seiner Waffe namens Vatsadanta auf. Die Szene zeigt, wie im Gedränge der Schlacht Treue zum Befehlshaber und die Pflicht, den anstürmenden Feind zu hemmen, zu entscheidenden Taten werden—und doch zugleich das tragische Geflecht der Gewalt enger ziehen, das die Tapferkeit beider Seiten verzehrt.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-duty in wartime: protecting one’s commander and obstructing an enemy’s advance is treated as a necessary obligation. Ethically, it also reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension—personal heroism and loyalty operate within a destructive cycle where even ‘right action’ in battle contributes to collective tragedy.
As Purujit moves directly toward Droṇa, Durmukha—renowned as a great archer—intercepts him and halts his advance by striking him with a weapon referred to as Vatsadanta.