Shloka 27
Droṇa’s Withdrawal, Death, and the Kaurava Rout (द्रोणनिधन-प्रसङ्गः)
तत् सम्प्रदीप्तं बलमस्मदीयं निशम्य पार्थास्त्विरितास्तथैव । सर्वेषु सैन्येषु पदातिसंघा- नचोदयंस्ते5पि चक्रुः प्रदीपान्,हमारी सेनाको मशालोंके प्रकाशसे प्रकाशित देख कुन्तीके पुत्रोंने भी तुरंत ही सारी सेनाके पैदल सैनिकोंको मशाल जलानेकी आज्ञा दी, अतः उन्होंने भी मशालें जला लीं
tat sampradīptaṃ balam asmadīyaṃ niśamya pārthās tvaritās tathaiva | sarveṣu sainyeṣu padātisaṅghān acodayan te 'pi cakruḥ pradīpān ||
Sañjaya said: Hearing that our army had been lit up by blazing torches, the sons of Kuntī likewise acted at once. Throughout their forces they urged the companies of foot-soldiers to kindle torches, and they too set the lamps aflame—meeting the night’s darkness with equal readiness and resolve in the conduct of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights practical dharma within warfare: alertness, swift coordination, and parity of preparedness. In a morally fraught setting, it underscores disciplined response rather than panic—meeting an opponent’s tactical move with organized counter-measures.
At night, the Kaurava army is seen illuminated by torches. On hearing this, the Pāṇḍavas immediately order their infantry across the forces to light torches as well, so their own army becomes similarly illuminated.