Shloka 60
द्रोणविक्रमदर्शनम् / The Display of Droṇa’s Onslaught and the Debate on Pāṇḍava Regrouping
तस्मिन् हते राजपुत्रे पज्चालानां यशस्करे । हत द्रोणं हत द्रोणमित्यासीज्नि:स्वनो महान्,पांचालोंका यश बढ़ानेवाले उस राजकुमारके मारे जानेपर वहाँ “द्रोणको मार डालो, द्रोणको मार डालो” इस प्रकार महान् कोलाहल होने लगा
tasmin hate rājaputre pāñcālānāṃ yaśaskare | hata droṇaṃ hata droṇam ity āsīj niḥsvano mahān ||
Sanjaya said: When that prince—who enhanced the fame of the Pāñcālas—was slain, a great uproar rose there, with cries of “Kill Droṇa! Kill Droṇa!” The shout showed how the fall of a famed warrior at once became a strategic and moral turning point: the battle’s aim shifted to bringing down Droṇa, seen as the chief pillar of the Kaurava cause.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a single death in war can redirect collective intention and moral focus: the army’s cry to kill Droṇa shows the shift from general combat to targeting a pivotal leader, raising ethical questions about ends, means, and the escalation of violence in pursuit of victory.
After a renowned prince associated with the Pāñcālas is killed, a loud commotion breaks out on the battlefield. Warriors begin shouting repeatedly, “Kill Droṇa! Kill Droṇa!”, indicating an immediate push to bring down Droṇa as the decisive objective.