Shloka 473
Droṇasya raudra-prayogaḥ
Droṇa’s intensified assault and the Pāṇḍava response
पड्चाला: समकम्पन्त धृष्टद्युम्नपुरोगमा: । जैसे इन्द्र दानवोंको पीड़ा देते हैं, उसी प्रकार द्रोणाचार्यसे पीड़ित हो धृष्टद्युम्म आदि पांचाल योद्धा भयसे काँपने लगे
Pāñcālāḥ samakampanta dhṛṣṭadyumnapurogamāḥ | yathā Indro dānavān pīḍayati tathā Droṇācāryeṇa pīḍitā dhṛṣṭadyumnādayaḥ pāñcālā yoddhā bhayāt kampitum ārabdhāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: The Pāñcāla warriors, led by Dhṛṣṭadyumna, began to tremble. Tormented by Droṇācārya—just as Indra afflicts the Dānavas—they were shaken with fear.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and psychological reality of war: even capable warriors can be overwhelmed by fear when confronted with superior force. It also suggests that power, when exercised like a divine scourge, can destabilize morale—reminding readers that victory is not only physical but also mental.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pāñcāla fighters led by Dhṛṣṭadyumna are shaken with fear because Droṇācārya is afflicting them in battle, compared to Indra tormenting the Dānavas.