Shloka 1
Rātri-yuddhe Droṇasya prahāraḥ — Bhīmasenasya dhārtarāṣṭra-śūrānām nigrahaḥ
Night Battle: Droṇa’s Assault and Bhīma’s Suppression of Dhārtarāṣṭra Warriors
संजय कहते हैं--महाराज! रथसेनाको पार करके आये हुए पाण्डुनन्दन भीमसेनको युद्धमें रोकनेकी इच्छासे आचार्य द्रोणने हँसते-हँसते उनपर बाणोंकी वर्षा आरम्भ कर दी
sañjaya uvāca—mahārāja! rathasenāṃ pārakramya āgatān pāṇḍunandanān bhīmasenaṃ yuddhe rokituṃ icchayā ācārya-droṇaḥ hasan-hasan tasmin bāṇavarṣaṃ ārabdhavān.
Sañjaya said: “O King, Bhīmasena—the son of Pandu—having forced his way across the chariot-host, was advancing. Wishing to check him in battle, the preceptor Drona, smiling as he did so, began to shower him with a rain of arrows.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the disciplined, duty-bound nature of battlefield conduct: even revered figures like a teacher (Drona) act decisively to restrain a formidable opponent (Bhima) when their side’s protection and strategic necessity demand it. The ‘smiling’ underscores composure and mastery amid violence—an ethic of controlled action rather than uncontrolled rage.
Bhima has pushed through the enemy chariot formations and advances in battle. Drona, intending to halt him, begins an intense arrow-barrage, confidently engaging Bhima to stop his momentum.