Shloka 20
Droṇa-pātana-paripṛcchā (Inquiry into the Fall of Droṇa) | द्रोणपातनपरिपृच्छा
त॑ कार्मुकमहावेगमस्त्रज्वलितपावकम् । द्रोणमासादयांचक्रु: पजचाला: पाण्डवै: सह,द्रोणाचार्यके धनुषका वेग महान् था। उन्होंने अस्त्रोंद्वारा आग-सी प्रज्वलित कर दी थी। पाण्डव और पांचाल सैनिक उनके पास पहुँचकर उन्हें रोकनेकी चेष्टा करने लगे
taṁ kārmuka-mahāvegam astra-jvalita-pāvakam | droṇam āsādayāṁ cakruḥ pañcālāḥ pāṇḍavaiḥ saha ||
Sañjaya said: The Pañcālas, together with the Pāṇḍavas, advanced upon Droṇa—whose bow had tremendous force and whose weapons blazed like fire—seeking to check his onslaught. In the ethical tension of the battle, this is the defenders’ attempt to restrain a devastating warrior-teacher whose martial power threatens to overwhelm the field.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid righteous aims, war demands restraint and responsibility: when a single warrior’s power becomes overwhelmingly destructive, opposing forces may be compelled to intervene to limit harm. The verse highlights the ethical pressure to ‘check’ devastation while still operating within the harsh duties of battlefield dharma.
Droṇa is fighting with extraordinary intensity, his bow-force and weaponry described as fire-like. The Pañcālas, allied with the Pāṇḍavas, close in on him in an effort to stop or contain his advance and prevent further damage to their side.