Shloka 19
शैनेयचरितम्
The Exploits of Śaineya/Sātyaki amid Encirclement
यं यमार्च्छच्छरैद्रोण: पाण्डवानां रथव्रजम् । ततस्तत: शरैद्रोणमपाकर्षत पार्षत:,द्रोणाचार्य बाणोंद्वारा पाण्डवोंकी जिस-जिस रथसेनापर आक्रमण करते थे, धृष्टद्युम्न तत्काल बाणोंकी वर्षा करके उस-उस ओरसे उन्हें लौटा देते थे
yaṁ yam ārcchac charair droṇaḥ pāṇḍavānāṁ rathavrajam | tatas tataḥ śarair droṇam apākarṣat pārṣataḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Whichever division of the Pāṇḍavas’ chariot-host Droṇa struck with his arrows, from that very quarter Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the son of Pṛṣata, at once drove Droṇa back, showering him with arrows in return.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights vigilant guardianship and disciplined response in righteous warfare: when a powerful aggressor presses an advantage, a responsible defender must counter promptly to protect one’s side. It reflects kṣatriya-dharma as steadiness, readiness, and strategic restraint rather than panic.
Droṇa repeatedly attacks different sections of the Pāṇḍava chariot formations with arrows. Dhṛṣṭadyumna immediately answers each thrust by showering arrows back and forcing Droṇa to withdraw from that direction, preventing Droṇa from breaking the Pāṇḍava lines.