Shloka 41
द्रोणवध-प्रश्नः
Droṇa’s Fall: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Inquiry
जो पांचालोंके सेनापति हैं, जिन्होंने द्रोणाचार्यको अपना भाग निश्चित कर रखा था, उन धृष्टद्युम्नको कबूतरके समान रंगवाले घोड़ोंने युद्धभूमिमें पहुँचाया ।। तमन्वयात् सत्यधृतिः सौचित्तियुद्धदुर्मद: । श्रेणिमान् वसुदानश्च पुत्र: काश्यस्य चाभिभू:,उनके पीछे सुचित्तके पुत्र युद्धदुर्मद सत्यधृति, श्रेणिमान, वसुदान- और काशिराजके पुत्र अभिभू चल रहे थे
sañjaya uvāca | yo pāñcālānāṃ senāpatiḥ, yena droṇācāryaṃ svabhāgaḥ niścitaḥ kṛtaḥ, taṃ dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ kapota-sadṛśa-varṇair aśvaiḥ raṇabhūmim prāpayām āsa || tam anvayāt satyadhṛtiḥ, saucitti-yuddha-durmadaḥ, śreṇimān, vasudānaś ca, kāśyasya putraś cābhibhūḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Dhrishtadyumna, the commander of the Panchalas—who had resolved that Drona would be his destined ‘share’—was borne onto the battlefield by horses of dove-like hue. Following behind him marched Satyadhriti, Yuddhadurmada the son of Suchitti, Shreniman, Vasudana, and Abhibhu, the son of the king of Kashi.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how intention and destiny operate within dharma-yuddha: leaders act from firm resolve (niścaya), and that resolve draws others into its moral and practical consequences. It also reflects the Mahabharata’s ethical tension—personal vows and fated outcomes unfold through collective participation.
Sanjaya describes Dhrishtadyumna, commander of the Panchalas, arriving on the battlefield in a chariot drawn by dove-colored horses. He is followed by named allied warriors—Satyadhriti, Yuddhadurmada (son of Suchitti), Shreniman, Vasudana, and Abhibhu of Kashi—indicating the formation and advance of the Panchala-led contingent.