Shloka 16
अध्याय ३१ — द्रोणानीके तुमुलसंग्रामः
The Tumultuous Battle around Droṇa’s Formation
समासाद्य तु पाण्डूनामनीकानि सहस्रश: । द्रोणेन चरता संख्ये प्रभग्नानि शितै: शरै:,रणभूमिमें विचरते हुए द्रोणाचार्यने पाण्डव-सेनामें प्रवेश करके अपने तीखे बाणोंद्वारा सहस्रों सैनिकोंके पाँव उखाड़ दिये
samāsādya tu pāṇḍūnām anīkāni sahasraśaḥ | droṇena caratā saṅkhye prabhagnāni śitaiḥ śaraiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Roaming across the battlefield, Droṇa pressed into the Pāṇḍavas’ battle-formations and, with his razor-sharp arrows, shattered them—breaking apart thousands of their ranks.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of dharma in wartime: extraordinary skill and adherence to a warrior’s role can still result in massive destruction, reminding the listener that victory achieved through violence carries profound human cost.
Sañjaya reports that Droṇa moves through the battlefield, penetrates the Pāṇḍavas’ formations, and with sharp arrows breaks and routs their divisions in great numbers.