Shloka 17
द्रोणपर्व (अध्याय ११२) — कर्णभीमयोर्युद्धम्, दुर्योधनस्य रक्षणादेशः
Droṇa-parva 112: Karṇa–Bhīma Engagement and Duryodhana’s Protective Order
असौ द्रोणो महेष्वासो युयुधानेन संयुगे । क्रीडते सूत्रबद्धेन पक्षिणा बालको यथा,“जैसे कोई बालक डोरमें बँधे हुए पक्षीके साथ खेलता है, उसी प्रकार ये महाधनुर्धर द्रोण युद्धस्थलमें युयुधानके साथ क्रीड़ा करते हैं
saū droṇo maheṣvāso yuyudhānena saṁyuge | krīḍate sūtrabaddhena pakṣiṇā bālako yathā ||
Sañjaya said: “That great archer Droṇa, on the battlefield, is sporting with Yuyudhāna as a child plays with a bird tied by a string.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension in warfare: true heroism is not merely superiority in skill, but restraint and respect for the opponent. When combat is treated as ‘play’ due to overwhelming advantage, it exposes the dehumanizing tendency of war and invites reflection on dharma amid violence.
Sañjaya describes Droṇa’s engagement with Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki) in battle. Droṇa appears so dominant that he seems to ‘sport’ with Sātyaki, likened to a child playing with a tethered bird—suggesting Droṇa’s control and the peril faced by Yuyudhāna.