Shloka 2536
द्रोणं दृष्टवा परे त्रेसुश्नेरुर्मम्लुश्न भारत । भारत! तेजसे प्रज्वलित हुए-से श्रीसम्पन्न द्रोणाचार्यको वहाँ प्रकाशित होते देख शत्रुसैनिक थर्रा उठे। कितने ही वहाँसे भाग चले और बहुतेरे मन उदास किये खड़े रहे
droṇaṃ dṛṣṭvā pare trastuś cerur mamluś ca bhārata | bhārata! tejase prajvalitābhāsaṃ śrī-sampannaṃ droṇācāryaṃ tatra prakāśamānaṃ dṛṣṭvā śatru-sainikāḥ pravyathitāḥ | kecid tatraiva palāyitāḥ, bahavaś ca manasā viṣaṇṇāḥ sthitāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: O Bhārata, on seeing Droṇa, the opposing warriors were seized with fear; they trembled and grew faint. Beholding the illustrious Droṇācārya blazing with martial splendor as he stood revealed on the field, the enemy soldiers were shaken—some fled from that place, while many others remained standing with hearts cast down. The scene underscores how a single figure’s disciplined prowess and reputation can break an army’s morale even before weapons decide the outcome.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and practical force of tejas—disciplined excellence and earned reputation. In war, inner steadiness and mastery can decide outcomes by shaping morale; fear and dejection arise when one’s resolve collapses, while dharma-aligned courage requires composure even before a formidable opponent.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that when the opposing troops see Droṇācārya shining with martial splendor on the battlefield, they panic: many tremble and faint, some flee, and others remain standing but dejected, showing a sudden breakdown of the enemy’s confidence.