Shloka 45
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 25 — Bhīma’s Disruption of Elephant Formations and Bhagadatta’s Shock Advance
पुत्रास्ते दुर्जयश्वैव जयश्न विजयश्व ह । नीलकाश्यजयत्सेनांस्त्रयस्त्रीन् प्रत्यवारयन्
putrās te durjayāś caiva jayaś ca vijayaś ca ha | nīlakāśyajayatsenāṁs trayas trīn pratyavārayan ||
Sañjaya said: “Your sons—Durjaya, and also Jaya and Vijaya—together with Nīlakāśya and Jayatsena, these three held back three (opposing warriors).” In the moral atmosphere of the war, the line highlights how familial loyalty and martial duty drive the young fighters to stand firm and check the enemy’s advance, even as the larger conflict continues to consume both sides.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness in battle: even amid a morally fraught war, warriors are portrayed as fulfilling their pledged duty by resisting the enemy and protecting their side.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that certain named warriors on the Kaurava side—identified as ‘your sons’ along with allies—successfully checked the advance of three opposing fighters, momentarily halting their pressure on the battlefield.