ततः क्षुब्धार्णवनिभं रंगमालोक्य बुद्धिमान् । भारद्वाज: प्रियं पुत्रमश्चत्थामानमब्रवीत्,फिर तो सारी रंगभूमिमें क्षुब्ध महासागरके समान हलचल मच गयी। यह देख बुद्धिमान् द्रोणाचार्यने अपने प्रिय पुत्र अश्वत्थामासे कहा
tataḥ kṣubdhārṇavanibhaṃ raṅgam ālokya buddhimān | bhāradvājaḥ priyaṃ putram aśvatthāmānam abravīt ||
Then, seeing the arena in tumult—like a storm-tossed ocean—the wise Bhāradvāja (Droṇa) addressed his beloved son Aśvatthāmā.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights discernment in leadership and mentorship: a wise elder observes the mood of the public sphere and responds through timely counsel to those closest to him, implying responsibility in guiding action amid collective agitation.
The arena becomes highly stirred—compared to a churning ocean. Noticing this, Droṇa (called Bhāradvāja) turns to his son Aśvatthāmā and begins to speak, setting up the next instruction or response to the unfolding event.