Shloka 46
तस्य तच्छिद्रमाज्ञाय धृष्टद्युम्न: प्रतापवान्,उनपर प्रहार करनेका वह अच्छा अवसर हाथ लगा जान प्रतापी धृष्टद्युम्मन बाणसहित अपने भयंकर धनुषको रथपर ही रखकर तलवार हाथमें ले उस रथसे उछलकर सहसा द्रोणाचार्यके पास जा पहुँचा
tasya tacchidram ājñāya dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ pratāpavān | anupaprahāraṇe vā śubham avasaraṃ prāpya bāṇasahitaṃ bhīṣaṇaṃ dhanuḥ rathopari nidhāya khaḍgaṃ pāṇau gṛhītvā tasmād rathād utplutya sahasā droṇācāryasya samīpaṃ jagāma ||
Sañjaya said: Perceiving that opening in Droṇa’s defense, the valiant Dhṛṣṭadyumna recognized a rare and favorable moment to strike. Setting his fearsome bow—still furnished with arrows—upon the chariot, he seized his sword, sprang down from the chariot, and in a sudden rush came close upon Droṇācārya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya pragmatism in war: when a decisive opening appears, one must act swiftly and appropriately, even changing weapons and tactics. Ethically, it reflects the tension between ideal restraint and the battlefield demand for timely, effective action.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna notices a vulnerability in Droṇa’s position, sets aside his bow on the chariot, takes up a sword, leaps down, and rushes to engage Droṇa at close range.