Shloka 80
धृष्टद्युम्नस्य द्रोणरथारोহণं सात्यकेः प्रतिरक्षणं च | Dhrishtadyumna Boards Droṇa’s Chariot; Sātyaki’s Counter-Protection
कथं च वो रथस्थानां शरवर्षाणि मुज्चताम् । नीतो>भिमन्युर्निधनं कदर्थीकृत्य व: परैः,“आपलोग रथपर बैठे हुए बाणोंकी वर्षा कर रहे थे तो भी शत्रुओंने आपकी अवहेलना करके कैसे अभिमन्युको मार डाला?
kathaṃ ca vo rathasthānāṃ śaravarṣāṇi muñcatām | nīto 'bhimanyur nidhanaṃ kadarthīkṛtya vaḥ paraiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “Even as you stood firm upon your chariots, showering volleys of arrows, how did the enemy nonetheless disregard you and, after humiliating Abhimanyu, lead him to his death?”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical shock of a warrior’s death brought about through disregard and humiliation despite supposed protection—raising questions of dharma in warfare, responsibility of allies, and the condemnation of tactics that violate fair combat.
Sañjaya describes (and implicitly questions) how Abhimanyu was taken to his death even though his side’s chariot-warriors were releasing heavy arrow volleys—suggesting that the enemy managed to isolate and overpower him, treating him with contempt and ignoring the defenders.