Shloka 40
स च्छिन्नधन्वा त्वरितस्त्वराकाले नृपोत्तम: । अन्यदादत्त वेगेन कार्मुक॑ समरे दृढम्,तब अत्यन्त घायल हुए महाबाहु द्रोणाचार्य अपने दोनों गलफर चाटने लगे। उन्होंने युधिष्ठिरके ध्वज और धनुषको भी काट दिया। शीघ्रताके समय शीघ्रता करनेवाले नृपश्रेष्ठ युधिष्ठिरने समरांगणमें धनुष कट जानेपर दूसरे सुदृढ़ धनुषको वेगपूर्वक हाथमें ले लिया
sa cchinnadhanvā tvaritas tvarākāle nṛpottamaḥ | anyad ādatta vegena kārmukaṃ samare dṛḍham ||
Sañjaya said: When his bow had been cut, the best of kings (Yudhiṣṭhira), swift at the very moment that demanded swiftness, quickly seized another firm bow on the battlefield. The scene underscores a kṣatriya’s duty to remain steady under sudden loss, responding without panic and continuing the fight with disciplined resolve.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In crisis, a leader grounded in dharma responds with presence of mind: when a weapon or advantage is lost, one should not collapse into fear or anger but promptly adopt the next rightful means and continue one’s duty with restraint.
Yudhiṣṭhira’s bow is cut in the fight; without delay he takes up another strong bow, showing readiness and steadiness amid the pressure of battle.