Shloka 4
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Kaurava-Aligned Mahārathas
Warrior Roster and Motivations
तस्यास्त्वग्रे महेष्वास: पाज्चाल्यो युद्धदुर्मदः । द्रोणप्रेप्सुरनीकानि धृष्टद्युम्नो व्यकर्षत,उसके आगे-आगे रणदुर्मद पांचालराजकुमार महाथनुर्धर धृष्टद्युम्न चल रहे थे, जो सदा आचार्य द्रोणसे युद्ध करनेकी इच्छा रखते थे। वे सारी सेनाको अपने पीछे खींचे लिये जाते थे
sañjaya uvāca |
tasyāstvagre maheṣvāsaḥ pāñcālyo yuddhadurmadaḥ |
droṇaprepsur anīkāni dhṛṣṭadyumno vyakarṣata ||
Sañjaya said: At the very front of that host marched Dhṛṣadyumna, the Pāñcāla prince, a great archer intoxicated with the ardor of battle. Ever intent on meeting Droṇa in combat, he drew the battle-formations along after him, pulling the entire army in his wake toward the clash he sought.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how personal resolve and a fixed objective can shape collective action in war: a commander’s single-minded intent (here, Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s determination to confront Droṇa) can pull entire formations forward. Ethically, it also points to the tension between kṣatriya-duty (leading from the front) and the dangers of battle-pride (yuddha-durmada), where zeal can harden into vengeance.
Sañjaya describes the marching order of the Pāṇḍava-aligned forces: Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the Pāñcāla prince and a renowned archer, advances at the head. Eager to fight Droṇa, he leads so forcefully that the army divisions follow as though drawn behind him.