Shloka 35
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ६२: वासुदेवमहात्म्यप्रशंसा (देव–ब्रह्मसंवादः)
द्रोणे चास्त्रविदां श्रेष्ठे सपुत्रे ससुहृज्जने । कृपे चैव महेष्वासे द्रवते यद् वरूथिनी
droṇe cāstravidāṃ śreṣṭhe saputre sasuhṛjjane | kṛpe caiva maheṣvāse dravate yad varūthinī ||
Sanjaya said: “When the battle-array is seen to break and flee, even though Droṇa—the foremost among masters of weapons—stands with his son and his well-wishers, and though Kṛpa, the great archer, is present, such a rout of the army is unworthy of you.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that the presence of renowned teachers and elite warriors does not guarantee victory if collective resolve and disciplined leadership fail. Ethical pressure is implied: a Kṣatriya host should not collapse into flight when guided by eminent protectors; courage and steadiness are part of righteous conduct in war.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava battle formation is fleeing even though Droṇa (with his son and supporters) and Kṛpa are present. He frames this retreat as disgraceful and unexpected, emphasizing the severity of the Kaurava setback.