Shloka 36
Droṇa Encircled at Night: Coalition Advance and Battlefield Omens (द्रोणपर्यावरणं रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
शोभन्तो रथिनां श्रेष्ठा: सहसैन्यपदानुगा: । संयत्ता: समरे वीरा भीमसेनमुपाद्रवन्,महाराज! उस समय आपके पुत्रोंने भीमसेनका सामना करके उन्हें रोका। दुःशल, चित्रसेन, कुण्डभेदी, विविंशति, दुर्मुख, दुःसह, विवर्ण, शल, विन्द, अनुविन्द, सुमुख, दीर्घबाहु, सुदर्शन, वृन्दारक, सुहस्त, सुषेण, दीर्घलोचन, अभय, रौद्रकर्मा, सुवर्मा और दुर्विमोचन--इन शोभाशाली रथिश्रेष्ठ वीरोंने अपने सैनिकों और सेवकोंके साथ सावधान एवं प्रयत्नशील होकर समरांगणमें भीमसेनपर धावा किया
sañjaya uvāca |
śobhanto rathināṃ śreṣṭhāḥ sahasainyapadānugāḥ |
saṃyattāḥ samare vīrā bhīmasenam upādravan ||
Sanjaya said: Splendid, foremost chariot-warriors—followed by many troops and attendants—fully prepared and intent upon the battle, charged at Bhimasena. O Maharaja, then your sons faced Bhimasena and held him in check. Duhshala, Chitrasena, Kundabhedi, Vivimshati, Durmukha, Duhsaha, Vivarna, Shala, Vinda, Anuvinda, Sumukha, Dirghabahu, Sudarshana, Vrindaraka, Suhasta, Sushena, Dirghalochana, Abhaya, Raudrakarma, Suvarma, and Durvimochana—these illustrious heroes, the best of chariot-fighters, with their soldiers and servants, vigilant and striving, fell upon Bhimasena in the field of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how, in war, valor is often expressed through coordinated collective effort: many renowned warriors, supported by troops, unite to check a single powerful foe. Ethically, it reflects the Kshatriya world where duty and loyalty to one’s side can drive overwhelming force, raising questions about proportionality and the costs of escalation.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that the foremost chariot-fighters—accompanied by their forces—advance in a prepared formation and attack Bhimasena, attempting to confront and restrain him on the battlefield.