Shloka 23
ततो रुक्मरथो राजन्नकेणेव विराजता । वरूथिना विनिष्पत्य व्यचरत् पृतनामुखे,आप्तैराशु परिज्ञातं भारद्वाजचिकीर्षितम् । संजय कहते हैं--राजन्! जब द्रोणाचार्यने कुछ अन्तर रखकर राजा युधिष्ठछिरको कैद करनेकी प्रतिज्ञा कर ली, तब आपके सैनिकोंने युधिष्ठिरके पकड़े जानेका उद्योग सुनकर जोर-जोरसे सिंहनाद करना और भुजाओंपर ताल ठोंकना आरम्भ किया। भरतनन्दन! उस समय धर्मराज युधिष्छिरने शीघ्र ही अपने विश्वसनीय गुप्तचरोंद्वारा यथायोग्य सारी बातें पूर्णरूपसे जान लीं कि द्रोणाचार्य क्या करना चाहते हैं राजन! तदनन्तर सुवर्णमय रथवाले द्रोणाचार्य सूर्यके समान प्रकाशभान आवरणपयुक्त रथके द्वारा आगे बढ़कर सेनाके प्रमुख भागमें विचरने लगे
tato rukmaratho rājann akeṇeva virājatā | varūthinā viniṣpatya vyacarat pṛtanāmukhe | āptair āśu parijñātaṃ bhāradvāja-cikīrṣitam ||
Sañjaya said: Then, O King, Droṇa—mounted on a golden chariot shining like the sun—burst forth with his chariot-guard and moved about at the very front of the battle-array. His intention, born of the Bhāradvāja line, was quickly understood through trusted informants: he meant to press the fight so as to seize Yudhiṣṭhira, turning the day’s combat into a test of strategy, restraint, and the limits of righteous warfare.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how decisive leadership in war must be paired with clear intelligence: Droṇa’s bold advance is matched by the rapid recognition of his intent through trusted agents, underscoring that strategy and ethical restraint depend on accurate knowledge of an opponent’s aims.
Sañjaya describes Droṇa emerging with his protective chariot-formation, shining like the sun on a golden chariot, and ranging at the front of the army. His planned objective—pressing the battle toward capturing Yudhiṣṭhira—is quickly understood through reliable informants.