Shloka 1
Adhyāya 10: Śrutakarmā’s Engagements; Prativindhya–Citra Duel; Drauṇi Advances toward Bhīma
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्ााभारत कर्णपर्वमें धृतराष्ट्रका प्रश्रविषयक नवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ ॥/ ९ ॥ हि. 57. 8-22. बछ। ््ज्टस:, दशमो< ध्याय: कर्णको सेनापति बनानेके लिये अभ्रृत्थामाका प्रस्ताव और सेनापतिके पदपर उसका अभिषेक संजय उवाच हते द्रोणे महेष्वासे तस्मिन्नहनि भारत । कृते च मोघसंकल्पे द्रोणपुत्रे महारथे,संजयने कहा--भरतनन्दन महाराज! उस दिन जब महाथनुर्धर द्रोणाचार्य मारे गये, महारथी द्रोणपुत्रका संकल्प व्यर्थ हो गया और समुद्रके समान विशाल कौरव-सेना भागने लगी, उस समय कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुन अपनी सेनाका व्यूह बनाकर अपने भाइयोंके साथ रणभूमिमें डटे रहे
sañjaya uvāca |
hate droṇe maheṣvāse tasminn ahani bhārata |
kṛte ca mogha-saṅkalpe droṇa-putre mahā-rathe ||
Sanjaya said: “O descendant of Bharata, on that day when Droṇa—the great archer—had been slain, and when the resolve of Droṇa’s son, the mighty chariot-warrior, had come to nothing, the Kaurava host—vast as the ocean—began to break and flee. At that moment, Kuntī’s son Arjuna, having arrayed his forces in battle-formation, stood firm on the field together with his brothers.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the fall of a central leader (Droṇa) can collapse morale and strategy, while steadfastness and disciplined order (Arjuna’s formation and resolve with his brothers) become decisive ethical and practical virtues in crisis.
After Droṇa is killed, Aśvatthāmā’s immediate purpose is frustrated and the Kaurava forces begin to scatter. In contrast, Arjuna and the Pāṇḍavas hold their ground in a structured battle-array, marking a turning point that sets up the next leadership decisions in the Kaurava camp.