Shloka 2
Cakravyūha-saṃkalpaḥ, Saṃśaptaka-āhvānaṃ, Saubhadra-vikrīḍitam
Drona Parva, Adhyāya 32
तस्य द्रोण: शितैर्बाणैस्तीक्ष्णधारैरजिद्वागै: । जीवितान्तमभिप्रेप्सुर्मर्माण्याशु जघान ह,तब द्रोणाचार्यने सीधे जानेवाले, तीखी धारसे युक्त पैने बाणोंद्वारा शीघ्रतापूर्वक भीमसेनके मर्मस्थानोंपर आघात किया। वे भीमसेनके प्राणोंका अन्त कर देना चाहते थे
tasya droṇaḥ śitair bāṇais tīkṣṇadhārair ajidvāgaiḥ | jīvitāntam abhiprepsur marmāṇy āśu jaghāna ha ||
Sañjaya said: Then Droṇa, intent on bringing Bhīmasena’s life to an end, swiftly struck at his vital points with razor-sharp arrows, keen-edged and unfailing in their flight.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how intention (abhiprāya) shapes action: Droṇa’s mastery is directed by a lethal resolve, showing the ethical tension in war where skill and duty can become instruments of ruthless harm. It invites reflection on how dharma in battle can be overshadowed when victory or vengeance becomes the overriding aim.
Sañjaya reports that Droṇa launches a rapid, precise attack on Bhīmasena, aiming at his marmas (vital points) with extremely sharp, sure-flying arrows, explicitly intending to kill him.