Shloka 38
धृतराष्ट्रस्य मूर्च्छा तथा द्रोणविषयकप्रश्नाः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Fainting and Questions Concerning Droṇa
पश्यतां पुरुषेन्द्राणां समरे पार्षतो5वधीत् । संजय! जिनके यश और बलका तिरस्कार होना असम्भव था, उन दुर्धर्ष वीर द्रोणाचार्यको समरभूमिमें सम्पूर्ण नरेशोंके देखते-देखते धृष्टद्युम्नने कैसे मार डाला? ।। के पुरस्तादयुध्यन्त रक्षन्तो द्रोणमन्तिकात्
paśyatāṃ puruṣendrāṇāṃ samare pārṣato ’vadhīt | sañjaya, yasya yaśo-bala-tiraskāro ’sambhavas te durdharṣaṃ vīraṃ droṇācāryaṃ samara-bhūmau samasta-nareśānāṃ paśyatāṃ paśyatāṃ dhṛṣṭadyumno kathaṃ jaghāna || ke purastād ayudhyanta rakṣanto droṇam antikāt ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “Before the very eyes of the foremost kings on the battlefield, Pārṣata (Dhṛṣṭadyumna) slew Droṇācārya— that unassailable hero whose fame and strength could not be slighted. Sañjaya, how did Dhṛṣṭadyumna kill Droṇa on the field of war while all the rulers looked on? And who were those fighting in front, guarding Droṇa from close at hand?”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral shock of a revered teacher and seemingly invincible warrior being slain in full view of the assembled kings. It frames a dharmic tension: in war, even the most honored figures can fall when strategy, circumstance, and the erosion of ethical boundaries converge, prompting reflection on how power and reputation do not guarantee protection.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra questions Sañjaya about the circumstances of Droṇa’s death: how Dhṛṣṭadyumna managed to kill the formidable Droṇācārya despite many kings watching, and who among the warriors were positioned in front and nearby as Droṇa’s protectors during the crucial moment.