Shloka 22
द्रोण–धृष्टद्युम्नयुद्धवर्णनम्
Drona–Dhrishtadyumna Battle Description
स कश्यपस्य वचनात् प्रोत्सार्य सरितां प्रतिम् । इषुपाते युधां श्रेष्ठ: कुर्वन् ब्राह्मणशासनम्
sa kaśyapasya vacanāt protsārya saritāṃ pratim | iṣupāte yudhāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ kurvan brāhmaṇaśāsanam ||
At Kaśyapa’s command, he drove (his foe) back toward the river. Though foremost among warriors in the discharge of missiles, he acted in obedience to a brahmin’s injunction—showing that martial prowess must be ruled by rightful counsel and restraint.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Martial excellence is not autonomous; it is to be exercised under dharma, here represented by obedience to a brahmin-sage’s injunction. Power is ethically bounded by rightful instruction.
Nārada describes a warrior, foremost in archery, who—following Kaśyapa’s directive—repels someone and drives them back toward the river, explicitly acting in accordance with a brahmin’s command.