Shloka 34
धर्मराजस्य चिन्ता, भीमसेनप्रेषणम्, द्रोणानीकप्रवेशप्रयत्नः
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Anxiety and the Dispatch of Bhīma; Attempted Breakthrough into Droṇa’s Formation
वायुके समान वेगशाली अश्व इतनी तीव्रातितीव्र गतिसे रथको लिये हुए भाग रहे थे कि कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुनद्वारा आगेकी ओर फेंके हुए बाण उनके रथके पीछे गिरते थे ।। ततो नृपतय: क्रुद्धा: परिवद्रुर्धनंजयम् । क्षत्रिया बहवश्चान्ये जयद्रथवधैषिणम्,तत्पश्चात् क्रोधमें भरे हुए बहुत-से नरेशों तथा अन्य क्षत्रियोंने जयद्रथवधकी इच्छा रखनेवाले अर्जुनको चारों ओरसे घेर लिया
sañjaya uvāca | vāyuke samāna-vegāśālī aśvā itnī tīvra-atitīvra gati se ratha ko liye hue bhāga rahe the ki kuntīkumāra arjunadvārā āge kī ora pheṅke hue bāṇa unke ratha ke pīche girte the || tato nṛpatayaḥ kruddhāḥ parivadruḥ dhanañjayam | kṣatriyā bahavaś cānye jayadrathavadha-eṣiṇam ||
Sañjaya said: The horses, swift as the wind, carried the chariot forward with such extreme speed that the arrows Arjuna shot ahead fell behind the chariot. Then many kings, enraged, along with other kṣatriya warriors, surged in from all sides to surround Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), intent on preventing—or avenging—the slaying of Jayadratha. The passage highlights how single-minded resolve in battle provokes collective resistance, and how wrath and rivalry can eclipse restraint even among those bound by the warrior code.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how unwavering determination in a righteous or vowed pursuit can intensify opposition, while anger (krodha) rapidly spreads and drives groups to abandon restraint. It implicitly warns that wrath and revenge can become collective forces that overwhelm discernment, even among those committed to warrior ethics.
Arjuna’s chariot is driven at such speed that his forward-shot arrows land behind it. Seeing his relentless advance toward Jayadratha, many enraged kings and other kṣatriyas rush in and surround Arjuna, aiming to stop his mission connected with Jayadratha’s death.