Shloka 12
Vāraṇāvata-prasaṃsā and the Pāṇḍavas’ Departure (वरणावत-प्रशंसा तथा पाण्डव-प्रयाणम्)
वैशग्पायन उवाच द्रुपदेनैवमुक्तस्तु भारद्वाज: प्रतापवान् | मुहूर्त चिन्तयित्वा तु मन्युनाभिपरिष्लुत:
vaiśampāyana uvāca | drupadenaivam uktas tu bhāradvājaḥ pratāpavān | muhūrtaṃ cintayitvā tu manyunābhipariṣlutaḥ |
Vaiśampāyana said: Thus addressed by King Drupada, the valiant son of Bhāradvāja, Droṇa, was overwhelmed by anger. After reflecting for a short while, his mind flooded with resentment, he inwardly formed a resolve for retribution against the lord of Pāñcāla and then set out toward Hastināpura, the capital of the Kauravas.
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse illustrates how anger (manyu) arising from insult can eclipse discernment and crystallize into a vow of retaliation. Ethically, it warns that unresolved resentment—especially in those with power and skill—can become a deliberate cause of large-scale harm, making self-mastery and forgiveness crucial to dharma.
After Drupada speaks to him in a way that wounds his pride, Droṇa becomes enraged, pauses to think, and then inwardly decides on revenge. He proceeds toward Hastināpura, where his association with the Kauravas will provide the means to act on that resolve.