Shloka 30

Devanagari script

तिष्ठतो युगपालीषु शोणानप्यधितिष्ठत: । नापश्यदन्तरं द्रोणस्तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्‌

Transliteration

tiṣṭhato yugapālīṣu śoṇān apy adhitiṣṭhataḥ | nāpaśyad antaraṃ droṇas tad adbhutam ivābhavat ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: Even while they stood firm in their battle-formations, and even as the blood-red carnage surged all around, Droṇa could find no opening at all. It seemed truly wondrous—an extraordinary moment in the moral drama of war, where steadfast discipline and resolve momentarily checked even a master of arms.

Word by Word

तिष्ठतःwhile (two) were standing / as the two stood

युगपालीषुon/among the yoke-pins (yoke-fasteners)

शोणान्red (ones)

अपिeven/also

अधितिष्ठतःthe two were standing upon / were mounted

नnot

अपश्यत्saw

अन्तरम्a gap/interval/opening

द्रोणःDrona

तत्that

अद्भुतम्wonderful/marvellous

इवas if/like

अभवत्became/was

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

Droṇa

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?

In the ethical world of the Mahābhārata, prowess alone does not guarantee success; collective discipline, steadfast formation, and timely resolve can restrain even the greatest warrior. The verse highlights how order and unity in a righteous or determined stand can create a moral and tactical barrier.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that amid intense, blood-stained fighting and while the troops remain arrayed in formation, Droṇa searches for a breach but cannot find any opening. The situation appears astonishing, suggesting a moment where the opposing side’s formation and resistance hold firm against Droṇa’s efforts.