Shloka 37
द्रोणपर्व (अध्याय १) — भीष्मनिधनानन्तरं धृतराष्ट्रस्य शोकः, सेनायाः स्थितिः, कर्णस्मरणं च
Droṇa Parva, Chapter 1: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s grief after Bhīṣma’s fall and the army’s reorientation toward Karṇa
रथातिरथसंख्यायां यो5ग्रणी: शूरसम्मत: । सासुरानपि देवेशान् रणे यो योद्धुमुत्सहेत्,रथियों और अतिरथियोंकी संख्यामें वह अग्रगण्य और शूरवीरके सम्मानका पात्र है। रणक्षेत्रमें असुरोंसहित सम्पूर्ण देवेश्वरोंके साथ भी वह युद्ध करनेका उत्साह रखता है
rathātirathasaṅkhyāyāṃ yo 'graṇīḥ śūrasammataḥ | sāsurān api deveśān raṇe yo yoddhum utsahet |
Sañjaya said: “In the reckoning of chariot-warriors and great chariot-warriors, he stands foremost, acknowledged as a true hero; and on the battlefield he would be eager to fight even the lords of the gods, together with the Asuras.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the classical epic ideal of martial excellence: a warrior’s stature is measured by recognized rank (ratha/atiratha) and by fearless readiness to face even superhuman opponents. Ethically, it reflects the Kṣatriya code that prizes courage and resolve in battle, while also hinting at the dangerous edge of overconfidence when valor becomes boundless ambition.
Sañjaya is reporting and praising a warrior’s battlefield capability, describing him as foremost among rathas and atirathas and so bold that he would willingly engage even the divine lords along with the Asuras. It functions as a heightened appraisal of combat power within the war-reporting frame.