Shloka 55
Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions
द्रुपदस्तु ततो राजन् सैन्धवं वै जयद्रथम् । अभ्युद्ययौ हृष्टरूपो हृष्टरूपं परंतप:
sañjaya uvāca | drupadas tu tato rājan saindhavaṃ vai jayadratham | abhyudyayau hṛṣṭarūpo hṛṣṭarūpaṃ paraṃtapaḥ |
Sañjaya said: Then, O King, Drupada—scorcher of foes—charged with great exhilaration against Jayadratha, the Sindhu ruler. Jayadratha too, exultant in spirit, met him in that same confident mood.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethos in battle: leaders advance with courage and high spirit, emphasizing valor and resolve. Ethically, it also reminds the reader that war inflames emotions—exultation and rivalry—yet these passions unfold within the larger framework of dharma and the grave consequences of conflict.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Drupada advances to engage Jayadratha, the Sindhu ruler. Both appear eager and confident as they move toward direct confrontation on the battlefield.