Saubhadra under Concentrated Assault; Pārṣata’s Intervention and Escalation
स द्रोणं निशितैर्बाणै राजन् विव्याध सप्तभि: । पार्षत॑ च रथं तूर्ण स्वकमारोहयत् तदा
sa droṇaṃ niśitair bāṇai rājann vivyādha saptabhiḥ | pārṣataṃ ca rathaṃ tūrṇaṃ svakāmārohayat tadā ||
Dijo Sañjaya: Oh rey, lo hirió a Droṇa con siete flechas agudas. Luego, sin demora, alzó a Pārṣata (Dhṛṣṭadyumna, hijo de Drupada) y lo subió a su propio carro—un acto urgente de amparo y apoyo táctico en medio del apremio de la batalla.
संजय उवाच
In the battlefield setting, the verse highlights kṣatriya conduct expressed through decisive action: confronting a formidable opponent (Droṇa) while also safeguarding and supporting an ally (Dhṛṣṭadyumna). It reflects the ethical tension of war—duty-driven violence paired with responsibility toward one’s companions.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a warrior strikes Droṇa with seven sharp arrows and then quickly brings Pārṣata (Dhṛṣṭadyumna) onto his own chariot, indicating a swift tactical move—either rescue, repositioning, or coordinated assault.