Shloka 10
शैनेयचरितम्
The Exploits of Śaineya/Sātyaki amid Encirclement
भारद्वाजानिलोद्धूत: शरधारासहस्रवान् । अभ्यवर्षन्महासैन्य: पाण्डुसेनाग्निमुद्धतम्,उस समय महान् सैन्यदलसे संयुक्त एवं हाथी, घोड़े और रथोंसे भरा हुआ वह संग्राम महान् मेघके समान जान पड़ता था। नाना प्रकारके शस्त्र पूर्ववात (पुरवैया)-के तुल्य चल रहे थे। गदाएँ विद्युतके समान प्रकाशित होती थीं। देखनेमें वह संग्राम-मेघ बड़ा भयंकर जान पड़ता था। द्रोणाचार्य वायुके समान उसे संचालित कर रहे थे तथा उससे बाणरूपी जलकी सहसोौरों धाराएँ गिर रही थीं और इस प्रकार वह अग्निके समान उठी हुई पाण्डव- सेनापर सब ओरसे वर्षा कर रहा था
sañjaya uvāca |
bhāradvājānilo(d)dhūtaḥ śaradhārāsahasravān |
abhyavarṣan mahāsainyaḥ pāṇḍusenāgnim uddhatam ||
Sañjaya said: Driven onward by the wind that was Droṇa, that vast host—pouring forth thousands of streams of arrows—rained down on the Pāṇḍava army, which had risen up like a blazing fire. The battle appeared like a dreadful storm-cloud: weapons moved like a strong forewind, maces flashed like lightning, and under Droṇa’s direction the ‘rain’ of arrows fell from every side upon the Pāṇḍavas’ fiery advance.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how leadership and skill can amplify violence: Droṇa’s command turns the battlefield into a storm that overwhelms a ‘fire-like’ opposing force. Ethically, it underscores the Mahābhārata’s tension between duty in war and the terrifying consequences when martial excellence is used to intensify destruction.
Sañjaya describes Droṇa directing the Kaurava host to unleash massive volleys of arrows against the advancing Pāṇḍava army. The scene is cast in nature-metaphors: Droṇa as wind, arrows as rain, weapons as gusts, and the Pāṇḍava force as a rising fire being drenched from all sides.