Mahabharata — Bhishma Parva, Shloka 69
Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions
इरावानथ संक्ुद्धः श्रुतायुषमरिंदमम् । प्रत्युद्ययौ रणे यत्तो यत्तरूपं परंतप:
irāvān atha saṁkruddhaḥ śrutāyuṣam ariṁdamam | pratyudyayau raṇe yatto yattarūpaḥ paraṁtapaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then Irāvān, inflamed with anger and intent on battle, charged forth in the fight against Śrutāyus, the subduer of foes. That scorcher of enemies advanced with determined resolve, while Śrutāyus, too, strove to meet him head-on—each pressing forward in the fierce duty of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethos of confronting an opponent directly with resolve. It also shows how anger (krodha) fuels action in war, reminding readers that martial duty often unfolds amid intense passions, even when the larger moral order (dharma) is at stake.
Sañjaya describes a battlefield encounter: Irāvān, angered and determined, rushes to engage Śrutāyus. Śrutāyus does not retreat; he prepares and strives to meet Irāvān’s charge, setting up a direct clash between the two warriors.