Shloka 8
द्रोण–सात्यकि-युद्धम्
Droṇa–Sātyaki Engagement
संजय कहते हैं--महाराज! अर्जुनके ऐसा कहनेपर उस समय द्रोणाचार्यने उन्हें हँसते हुए-से उत्तर दिया--'अर्जुन! मुझे पराजित किये बिना जयद्रथको जीतना असम्भव है! ७ |। एतावदुक्त्वा तं द्रोण: शरब्रातैरवाकिरत् । सरथाश्चथध्वजं ती&णै: प्रहसन् वै ससारथिम्,अर्जुनसे इतना ही कहकर द्रोणाचार्यने हँसते-हँसते रथ, घोड़े, ध्वज तथा सारथिसहित उनके ऊपर तीखे बाणसमूहोंकी वर्षा आरम्भ कर दी
etāvad uktvā taṃ droṇaḥ śaravrātair avākirat | sa-rathāśva-dhvajaṃ tīkṣṇaiḥ prahasan vai sa-sārathim ||
Sañjaya said: O King, when Arjuna spoke thus, Droṇa answered him with a laugh that seemed like scorn: “Arjuna! Without first overcoming me, it is impossible to conquer Jayadratha!” Having said only this, Droṇa, laughing, began to shower Arjuna with keen volleys of arrows, striking his chariot, his horses, his banner, and even his charioteer.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of kṣatriya-dharma: duty is executed through decisive action, yet it can be accompanied by pride or mockery. Droṇa’s laughter and immediate assault show how power can be used to enforce a strategic claim—reminding readers that righteousness in war is not only about goals but also about the manner and intent with which force is applied.
After asserting that Jayadratha cannot be defeated unless Droṇa is first overcome, Droṇa immediately demonstrates his control of the battlefield by raining sharp arrows upon Arjuna—targeting not just Arjuna himself but his entire fighting apparatus: chariot, horses, banner, and charioteer.