Shloka 5

Devanagari script

बाणोंकी वर्षासे आच्छादित हो सब ओरसे मारे जानेवाले पांचालवीरोंका भयंकर आर्तनाद सुनायी देने लगा ।। वध्यमानेषु संग्रामे पडचालेषु महात्मना । उदीर्यमाणे द्रोणास्त्रे पाण्डवान्‌ भयमाविशत्‌,संग्राममें जब इस प्रकार महामनस्वी ट्रोणाचार्यके द्वारा पांचाल-सैनिक मारे जाने लगे और आचार्य द्रोणके अस्त्र लगातार बरसने लगे, तब पाण्डवोंके मनमें बड़ा भय समा गया

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca |

vadhyamāneṣu saṅgrāme pāñcāleṣu mahātmanā |

udīryamāṇe droṇāstre pāṇḍavān bhayam āviśat ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: As the great-souled warrior cut down the Pāñcālas in the thick of battle, and as Droṇa’s weapon-force surged forth without pause, fear entered the hearts of the Pāṇḍavas.

Word by Word

वध्यमानेषुwhile (they) were being slain

संग्रामेin battle

पाञ्चालेषुamong the Panchalas

महात्मनाby the great-souled (one)

उदीर्यमाणेas (it) was being discharged/let loose

द्रोणास्त्रेwhen Drona’s weapon (brahmastra etc.) was (in play)

पाण्डवान्the Pandavas

भयम्fear

आविशत्entered/seized

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

Droṇa (Droṇācārya)

Pāṇḍavas

Pāñcālas

Droṇāstra (Droṇa’s weapon/astric force)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how overwhelming martial power (astra) can destabilize even heroic minds, reminding readers that war is not only physical contest but also psychological and ethical strain—leaders must face the consequences when allies suffer under superior force.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that Droṇa is cutting down the Pāñcāla forces in battle, and as his weapon-force continues to surge, the Pāṇḍavas become afraid, sensing the tide turning under Droṇa’s relentless assault.