Shloka 34
नारायणास्त्र-शमनं द्रौणि-प्रहारश्च
Pacification of the Nārāyaṇāstra and Drauni’s Renewed Assault
पज्चाला: सोमकाश्वैव परिवद्रु: समनन््तत: । राजा द्रुपदके उस महारथी पुत्रको युद्धविमुख हुआ देख पांचालों और सोमकोंने उसे चारों ओरसे घेरकर अपने बीचमें कर लिया ।। ३३ $ || तथैव तव पुत्राश्न परिवद्र॒ुर्द्धिजोत्तमम्
pañcālāḥ somakāś caiva parivavruḥ samanantataḥ | rājā drupadakaḥ tasya mahārathī putraṃ yuddha-vimukhaṃ dṛṣṭvā pañcālāḥ somakāś ca enam caturdiśaṃ parivārya madhye cakruḥ ||
Sañjaya said: The Pāñcālas and the Somakas surrounded him on every side. Seeing that the mighty chariot-warrior—King Drupada’s son—had turned away from the fight, they encircled him from all directions and drew him into their midst, both to restrain his retreat and to bring him back under the discipline of their cause amid the moral pressure of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the battlefield context, the verse highlights the tension between personal wavering and collective duty: allies may restrain a warrior’s retreat to preserve morale, cohesion, and the perceived obligation to stand one’s ground in a righteous cause.
Sañjaya reports that the Pāñcālas and Somakas notice Drupada’s son, an elite chariot-warrior, turning away from combat; they immediately surround him from all sides and bring him into their midst, effectively preventing withdrawal and reasserting control within their formation.