Shloka 47
Droṇa Encircled at Night: Coalition Advance and Battlefield Omens (द्रोणपर्यावरणं रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
अथ भीमस्तु बुक त्वा गुरोर्वाक्यमपेतभी: । क्रुद्ध: प्रोवाच वै द्रोणं रक्तताम्रेक्षणस्त्वरन्,गुरुका यह वचन सुनकर भीमसेनके नेत्र क्रोधसे लाल हो गये, वे बड़ी उतावलीके साथ द्रोणाचार्यसे निर्भय होकर बोले
atha bhīmas tu brūtvā guror vākyam apetabhīḥ | kruddhaḥ provāca vai droṇaṃ raktatāmrekṣaṇas tvaran |
Then Bhīma, having answered the teacher’s words and casting off all fear, angrily addressed Droṇa. His eyes, copper-red with wrath, he spoke in haste—undaunted—signaling a decisive turn from restraint to open confrontation in the moral chaos of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in wartime, ethical boundaries are strained: even the revered status of a guru can be challenged when one perceives injustice or threat. It also shows the inner shift from fear to resolve—apetabhīḥ—where courage can arise, yet is morally perilous when driven by anger.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīma, reacting to Droṇa’s words, becomes intensely angry—his eyes reddening—and, without fear, hastily addresses Droṇa directly. The scene sets up a sharp verbal confrontation amid the escalating violence of Droṇa Parva.