Shloka 40
द्रोणाचार्यके द्वारा पाण्डव-सेनाका संहार होता देख कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुनके हृदयमें कुछ क्रोध हो आया। वे तुरंत ही आचार्यका सामना करनेके लिये चल दिये ।। दृष्टवा द्रोणं तु बीभत्सुमभिधावन्तमाहवे । संन्यवर्तत तत् सैन्यं पुनर्योधिष्ठिरे बलम्,अर्जुनको युद्धमें द्रोणाचार्यपर धावा करते देख युधिष्ठिरकी सेना पुनः: वापस लौट आयी
sañjaya uvāca | dṛṣṭvā droṇaṃ tu bībhatsum abhidhāvantam āhave | saṃnyavartata tat sainyaṃ punar yodhiṣṭhire balam ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing the Pāṇḍava host being slaughtered by Droṇācārya, Arjuna (Bībhatsu), Kuntī’s son, felt anger rise within him and at once went forth to face the teacher. When the army saw Arjuna rushing in battle against Droṇācārya, it turned back and re-formed its strength under Yudhiṣṭhira. In the epic’s ethical frame, Arjuna’s righteous wrath at the ruin of his side becomes a rallying point: the warriors regain resolve when their foremost protector moves to check the teacher’s devastating onslaught.
सयजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how decisive leadership and moral resolve can restore a collapsing force: when Arjuna moves to confront an overwhelming threat (Droṇa), the army regains courage and reorganizes. It also reflects the dharmic tension of fighting one’s revered teacher when duty to protect one’s side becomes paramount.
Droṇa is inflicting heavy losses on the Pāṇḍava side. Arjuna charges toward Droṇa to face him directly. Seeing Arjuna’s advance, the Pāṇḍava host that had been falling back turns around, returns to the fight, and stands ready again.