Shloka 17
द्रोणानीकाभिमुखगमनम्
Abhimanyu advances toward Droṇa’s host
धनंजयो हि नस्तात गर्हयेदेत्य संयुगात् क्षिप्रमस्त्रं समादाय द्रोणानीकं विशातय,“तात! यदि हम विजयी नहीं हुए तो युद्धसे लौटनेपर अर्जुन निश्चय ही हमलोगोंको कोसेंगे, अतः शीघ्र अस्त्र लेकर तुम द्रोणाचार्यकी सेनाका विनाश कर डालो”
dhanañjayo hi nas tāta garhayed etya saṁyugāt kṣipram astraṁ samādāya droṇānīkaṁ viśātaya
Sañjaya said: “Dear one, if we return from the battle without victory, Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) will surely reproach us. Therefore, quickly take up your weapon and shatter the army led by Droṇa.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in a warrior ethos, reputation and responsibility to one’s leader or exemplar can drive action: fear of rightful blame (garhaṇa) becomes a moral-psychological pressure to act decisively in one’s assigned duty, even when that duty is violent.
Sañjaya reports an exhortation on the battlefield: the speaker urges swift action—take up weapons and break Droṇa’s forces—because returning without success would invite Arjuna’s censure.