Shloka 45
Droṇasya raudra-prayogaḥ
Droṇa’s intensified assault and the Pāṇḍava response
प्रत्यगृह्लंस्तदा राजज्छरवर्ष: पृथक् पृथक् । राजन! उस समय द्रोणाचार्यको युद्धके लिये उद्यत देख सूंजयोंसहित पाण्डवोंने पृथक्-पृथक् बाणोंकी वर्षा करते हुए उनका सामना किया ।। ४४ $ || विक्षोभ्यमाणा द्रोणेन भिद्यमाना महाचमू:
pratyagṛhlam̐stadā rājan śaravarṣaḥ pṛthak pṛthak | rājan! us samaya droṇācāryaṃ yuddhāya udyataṃ dṛṣṭvā saṃjayena saha pāṇḍavāḥ pṛthak-pṛthag bāṇānāṃ varṣāṃ kurvantaḥ taṃ pratyudyayuḥ || vikṣobhyamāṇā droṇena bhidyamānā mahācamūḥ ||
Sañjaya said: O King, at that time, seeing Droṇācārya poised for battle, the Pāṇḍavas—each in his own way—met him by showering volleys of arrows. Yet that vast host, shaken by Droṇa and being broken apart, began to reel under his assault.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights kṣatriya-dharma in action: when a formidable commander rises for battle, the opposing side must respond with courage and coordinated effort. Ethically, it underscores the tension between necessary martial duty and the tragic cost of war—an army can be ‘shaken’ and ‘broken’ even when individuals act bravely.
Sañjaya reports to the king that Droṇa is fully prepared and advancing. The Pāṇḍavas respond by confronting him with separate, concentrated arrow-volleys. Despite their resistance, Droṇa’s prowess throws the great host into confusion and begins to split it apart.