Shloka 3
द्रोणे युधि पराक्रान्ते नर्दमाने मुहुर्मुहुः । पज्चालेघु च क्षीणेषु वध्यमानेषु पाण्डुषु,जब द्रोणाचार्य युद्धमें पराक्रम प्रकट करके बारंबार गर्जना कर रहे थे, पांचाल वीरोंका विनाश हो रहा था और पाण्डव-सैनिक मारे जा रहे थे, उस समय धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरको कोई भी अपना आश्रय या रक्षक नहीं दिखायी दिया। राजेन्द्र! वे सोचने लगे कि यह कैसे होगा?
sañjaya uvāca | droṇe yudhi parākrānte nardamāne muhur muhuḥ | pāñcāleṣu ca kṣīṇeṣu vadhyamāneṣu pāṇḍuṣu |
Sañjaya said: When Droṇa, displaying mighty prowess in battle, kept roaring again and again, and when the Pāñcāla warriors were being worn down and the Pāṇḍava forces were being slain, at that time Dharmarāja Yudhiṣṭhira could see no refuge or protector of his own. O best of kings, he began to ponder: “How can this be?”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic leadership crisis: even a righteous king like Yudhiṣṭhira can face moments where external supports collapse, forcing inward discernment and strategic reflection rather than panic.
Droṇa is dominating the battlefield, repeatedly roaring as he presses the attack. The Pāñcāla allies are being depleted and the Pāṇḍava forces are being killed, leading Yudhiṣṭhira to feel bereft of protection and to wonder what course is now possible.