Shloka 24
अध्याय ९९ — युयुधान-दुःशासन-युद्धम्
Chapter 99: Sātyaki and Duḥśāsana’s engagement
धृष्टद्युम्नस्तु सम्प्रेक्ष्य द्रोणमभ्याशमागतम् । असिचर्माददे वीरो धनुरुत्सूज्य भारत,भारत! वीर धृष्टद्युम्नने द्रोणाचार्यको अत्यन्त निकट आया हुआ देख धनुष छोड़कर हाथमें ढाल और तलवार ले ली
dhṛṣṭadyumnas tu samprekṣya droṇam abhyāśam āgatam | asicarmādade vīro dhanur utsṛjya bhārata ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing Droṇa come very near, the valiant Dhṛṣṭadyumna cast aside his bow and took up sword and shield—choosing close combat as the encounter tightened and the crisis demanded immediate, personal resolve.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
When circumstances change, a warrior must respond with clarity and resolve: Dhṛṣṭadyumna adapts from ranged combat to close combat, reflecting kṣatriya readiness and presence of mind amid moral and strategic pressure.
Droṇa advances to very close range; Dhṛṣṭadyumna, seeing this, abandons the bow and immediately arms himself with sword and shield to meet Droṇa in hand-to-hand fighting.