Shloka 4
अध्याय ३१ — द्रोणानीके तुमुलसंग्रामः
The Tumultuous Battle around Droṇa’s Formation
समुद्यतेषु चास्त्रेषु सम्प्राप्ते च युधिष्ठिरे । अकुर्वन्नार्यकर्माणि भैरवे सत्यभीतवत्,प्रभो! वह भयंकर संग्राम छिड़ जानेपर समस्त योद्धा निर्भय-से होकर आर्यजनोचित्त पुरुषार्थ प्रकट करने लगे। जब सब ओरसे हथियार उठे हुए थे और राजा युधिष्ठिर सामने आ पहुँचे थे, उस दशामें भीमसेन, सात्यकि अथवा वीर धृष्टद्युम्मकी असावधानीका लाभ उठाकर अमिततेजस्वी कौरवयोद्धा पाण्डव-सेनापर टूट पड़े
samudyateṣu cāstreṣu samprāpte ca yudhiṣṭhire | akurvann āryakarmāṇi bhairave satyabhītavat ||
Sañjaya said: When weapons were raised on every side and King Yudhiṣṭhira had entered the fray, even amid that dreadful tumult the warriors displayed the manly exertion befitting the noble (ārya) code, acting as though fear had no place in them. The scene proclaims the Kṣatriya ethic: once battle is joined, courage and disciplined effort are demanded, even when the hour is terrifying.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Kṣatriya ideal of ārya-karman—honorable, disciplined exertion in battle. Even in a terrifying situation, warriors are expected to act according to duty and courage rather than succumb to fear.
As the battle intensifies and weapons are raised everywhere, Yudhiṣṭhira comes forward. In that fearful moment, the fighters begin performing valorous deeds consistent with noble conduct, signaling the full onset of a fierce engagement.