Shloka 3
Rātri-yuddhe Droṇasya prahāraḥ — Bhīmasenasya dhārtarāṣṭra-śūrānām nigrahaḥ
Night Battle: Droṇa’s Assault and Bhīma’s Suppression of Dhārtarāṣṭra Warriors
त॑ मृथे वेगमास्थाय नृपा: परमधन्विन: । चोदितास्तव पुत्रैश्न सर्वत: पर्यवारयन्,उस समय आपके पुत्रोंद्वारा प्रेरित हुए बहुत-से महाधनुर्धर नरेशोंने महान् वेगका आश्रय ले युद्धस्थलमें भीमसेनको सब ओरसे घेर लिया
taṁ mṛdhe vegam āsthāya nṛpāḥ paramadhanvinaḥ | coditās tava putraiś ca sarvataḥ paryavārayan ||
Sañjaya said: Then, in the thick of battle, many kings—supreme archers—spurred on by your sons, gathered their full momentum and surrounded Bhīmasena on every side.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how leadership and incitement can mobilize many capable warriors into a single coordinated action, escalating violence and concentrating harm. Ethically, it points to the responsibility borne by those who urge others into battle and the way collective zeal can intensify adharma when driven by factional aims rather than restraint.
In the Drona Parva battle sequence, many expert archer-kings, prompted by Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons, rush with full force and encircle Bhīmasena from all directions, setting up a concentrated engagement against him.