Shloka 17
द्रोणेन केकय-चेदि-वीरवधः
Droṇa’s engagements with the Kekayas and Cedis
(श्रमेण महता युक्तासस््ते हया वातरंहस: । मन्दवेगगता राजन संवृत्तास्तत्र संयुगे ।।) राजन! वे वायुके समान वेगशाली अश्व उस युद्धस्थलमें अधिक परिश्रमसे थक जानेके कारण मन्दगतिसे चलने लगे। एतस्मिन्नन्तरे वीरावावन्त्यौ भ्रातरौ नूप । सहसेनौ समारच्छेतां पाण्डवं क्लान्तवाहनम्,नरेश्वर! इसी बीचमें अवन्तीके वीर राजकुमार दोनों भाई विन्द और अनुविन्द थके हुए घोड़ोंवाले पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुनका सामना करनेके लिये अपनी सेनाके साथ आये
sañjaya uvāca |
śrameṇa mahatā yuktās te hayā vātarāṁhasaḥ |
mandavegagatā rājan saṁvṛttās tatra saṁyuge ||
etasminn antare vīrāv avantyau bhrātarau nṛpa |
sahasenaū samāracchetāṁ pāṇḍavaṁ klāntavāhanam ||
Sañjaya said: O King, those horses—swift as the wind—having been subjected to great exertion, became slow-moving there in the thick of battle. Meanwhile, O ruler, the two heroic brothers of Avanti, Vindā and Anuvindā, came up with their forces to confront the Pāṇḍava Arjuna, whose steeds were weary.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the swiftest resources fail under excessive strain; in dharmic warfare, success depends not only on valor but also on sustaining one’s means—horses, chariot, and troops—so that courage is matched by practical readiness.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna’s horses, though wind-swift, have slowed from heavy exertion. Seizing this moment, the Avanti brothers Vindā and Anuvindā advance with their forces to confront Arjuna while his team is fatigued.