Shloka 35
Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions
सौमदत्तिं रणे शड्खो रभसं रभसो युधि । प्रत्युद्ययौ महाराज तिष्ठ तिछेति चाब्रवीत्,महाराज! वेगशाली शंखने उस युद्धमें वेगवान् वीर भूरिश्रवापर धावा किया और कहा -- खड़े रहो, खड़े रहो”
saumadattiṁ raṇe śaṅkho rabhasaṁ rabhaso yudhi | pratyudyayau mahārāja tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti cābravīt ||
Sañjaya said: O King, in the thick of battle Śaṅkha, driven by impetuous fury, charged straight at Saumadatti (Bhūriśravas) and cried, “Stand! Stand!”—a warrior’s open challenge, in keeping with the code of face-to-face combat amid the violence of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even within the brutality of war, the epic highlights kṣatriya conduct: meeting an opponent openly, issuing a direct challenge, and engaging with declared courage rather than stealth—an ethical framing of combat within dharma.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the warrior Śaṅkha, driven by fierce momentum, rushes to confront Saumadatti (Bhūriśravas) and calls out “Stand! Stand!”, signaling the start of a direct duel-like engagement.