Shloka 17
अभिमन्योर् दारुणः संमर्दः
Abhimanyu’s fierce melee amid chariot formations
सौभद्रेण हतै: पूर्व सोत्तरायोधिभिर्दिपै: । पाण्डूनां दर्शित: पन्था: सैन्धवेन निवारित:
saubhadreṇa hataiḥ pūrvaṃ sottarāyodhibhir dvipaiḥ | pāṇḍūnāṃ darśitaḥ panthāḥ saindhavena nivāritaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Earlier, by the elephants slain by Saubhadra (Abhimanyu)—together with their drivers—the Pāṇḍavas had a passage made visible, a way opened through the press of battle. But that very route was blocked again by the Sindhu prince (Jayadratha), who stood as an obstruction to their advance.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In war, openings created by valor and sacrifice can be swiftly nullified by counter-strategy; the verse highlights how individual heroism (Abhimanyu’s clearing of a way) must contend with deliberate obstruction (Jayadratha’s blocking), underscoring the ethical tension between righteous aim and tactical resistance.
Abhimanyu has earlier cut down elephants and their riders, creating a clear passage for the Pāṇḍavas’ forces. Jayadratha, the Sindhu prince, then prevents the Pāṇḍavas from using that route, halting their advance.