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Shloka 9

Cakravyūha-saṃkalpaḥ, Saṃśaptaka-āhvānaṃ, Saubhadra-vikrīḍitam

Drona Parva, Adhyāya 32

महेष्वासवरैर्गुप्ता द्रोणानीकं बिभित्सव: । समापेतुर्महावीर्या भीमप्रभूतयो रथा:,सात्यकि आदि महार॒थी तथा पाण्डुकुमार माद्रीपुत्र नकुल-सहदेव--ये सभी पुरुषश्रेष्ठ वीर परस्पर मिलकर एक साथ अत्यन्त क्रोधमें भरकर बड़े-बड़े धनुर्धरोंसे सुरक्षित हो द्रोणाचार्यकी सेनाको विदीर्ण कर डालनेकी इच्छासे उसपर टूट पड़े। वे भीम आदि सभी महारथी अत्यन्त पराक्रमी थे

sañjaya uvāca | maheṣvāsavarair guptā droṇānīkaṃ bibhitsavaḥ | samāpetur mahāvīryā bhīmaprabhūtayo rathāḥ ||

Sañjaya said: Guarded by the foremost great bowmen, the battle-array of Droṇa was assailed by mighty chariot-warriors—Bhīma and the others—together with Sātyaki and the sons of Pāṇḍu, Nakula and Sahadeva, who surged as one, intent on shattering it. In fierce wrath and heroic resolve, those great fighters closed upon Droṇa’s host, seeking to break through its protected ranks.

महेष्वासवरैःby excellent great-archers
महेष्वासवरैः:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootमहेष्वासवर
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Plural
गुप्ताःprotected/guarded
गुप्ताः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootगुप्त
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
द्रोणानीकम्Drona's army/host
द्रोणानीकम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootद्रोणानीक
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
बिभित्सवःwishing to split/pierce
बिभित्सवः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootबिभित्सु
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
समापेतुःrushed upon/assailed
समापेतुः:
TypeVerb
Rootसम्-आपत्
FormPerfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Plural
महावीर्याःof great valor
महावीर्याः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootमहावीर्य
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
भीमप्रभूतयःled by Bhima / with Bhima prominent
भीमप्रभूतयः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootभीमप्रभूत
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
रथाःchariots (i.e., chariot-warriors)
रथाः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootरथ
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
D
Droṇa
B
Bhīma
D
Droṇa’s army/battle-array
C
chariots (rathāḥ)
G
great archers (maheṣvāsāḥ)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights how collective resolve and disciplined courage can confront even a well-protected power. Ethically, it also shows the Mahābhārata’s tension: righteous aims may still unfold through violent means, demanding vigilance about anger (krodha) and the costs of war.

Sañjaya describes the Pāṇḍava-side great chariot-warriors—led by Bhīma—charging together against Droṇa’s guarded battle-array, intent on breaking through and tearing apart Droṇa’s formation despite its protection by elite archers.