Shloka 13
Droṇa Encircled at Night: Coalition Advance and Battlefield Omens (द्रोणपर्यावरणं रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणान् विप्रानर्चितांस्तुष्टमानसान्,तदनन्तर पूजित एवं संतुष्टचित्त हुए ब्राह्मणोंकी परिक्रमा करके आठः प्रकारकी मांगलिक वस्तुओंका स्पर्श करनेके पश्चात् भीमसेनने कैरातक मधुका पान किया। फिर तो वीर भीमसेनका बल और उत्साह दुगुना हो गया, उनके नेत्र मदसे लाल हो गये थे
kṛtvā pradakṣiṇān viprān arcitāṁs tuṣṭa-mānasān | tad-anantaraṁ pūjita evaṁ saṁtuṣṭa-citto bhīmasenaḥ kairātaka-madhukāṁ pītvā balam utsāhaṁ ca dvi-guṇaṁ cakāra; tasya netre mada-lāle babhūvatuḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : Après avoir honoré les brāhmanes et les avoir contournés en pradakṣiṇā, l’esprit réjoui, Bhīmasena, le cœur satisfait, accomplit les rites de bon augure et but l’hydromel des Kirāta. Alors la force et l’ardeur du puissant Bhīma doublèrent, et ses yeux rougirent sous l’ivresse.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse juxtaposes ritual reverence (honoring and circumambulating brāhmaṇas, engaging in auspicious acts) with the pursuit of heightened martial capacity. It reflects a tension often present in epic ethics: social-religious propriety is observed, yet the immediate aim is to amplify kṣatriya power and battle-readiness, even through intoxicants—raising questions about means versus ends within dharma.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīma first performs respectful rites toward brāhmaṇas and completes auspicious observances; afterward he drinks a Kirāta honey-liquor (madhukā). The drink intensifies his vigor—his strength and enthusiasm become double, and his eyes redden from intoxication—signaling readiness for fierce action in the war context.