Shloka 41
Ghaṭotkaca Slays Alāyudha (Night Battle and Māyā Countermeasures) / घटोत्कचेन अलायुधवधः
एवमुक्त्वा ततः प्रायाद् द्रोण: पाण्डवसृज्जयान् | मुष्णन् क्षत्रियतेजांसि नक्षत्राणामिवांशुमान्,जैसे सूर्य नक्षत्रोंके तेज हर लेते हैं, उसी प्रकार क्षत्रियोंक तेजका अपहरण करते हुए आचार्य द्रोण दुर्योधनसे पूर्वोक्त बातें कहकर पाण्डवों और सूंजयोंसे युद्ध करनेके लिये चल दिये
evam uktvā tataḥ prāyād droṇaḥ pāṇḍavasṛñjayān | muṣṇan kṣatriya-tejāṃsi nakṣatrāṇām ivāṃśumān ||
Sañjaya said: Having spoken thus, Droṇa then set out against the Pāṇḍavas and the Sṛñjayas. As the sun outshines the stars, so did he, by his blazing prowess, seem to strip away the martial splendor of the kṣatriyas as he advanced to battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights tejas (martial radiance) as a decisive factor in war: a commander’s overwhelming prowess can eclipse the confidence and perceived honor of opposing warriors, reminding readers that ethical intent and dharma must contend with the realities of power on the battlefield.
After making the previously mentioned remarks, Droṇa moves forward to engage the Pāṇḍavas and their Sṛñjaya allies. Sañjaya describes Droṇa’s advance with a simile: like the sun outshining the stars, Droṇa appears to deprive the kṣatriyas of their brilliance as he presses into combat.