Shloka 17
Nārāyaṇāstra-utpātaḥ — Aśvatthāman’s Rallying Roar after Droṇa’s Fall (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६७)
महाराज! कौरव-सेनापर धावा करते हुए योद्धाओंमें श्रेष्ठ महारथी अर्जुनको राक्षसराज अलम्बुषने रोका ।। तथा द्रोणं महेष्वासं निध्नन्तं शात्रवान् रणे | धृष्टद्युम्नो5थ पाज्चाल्यो हृष्टरूपमवारयत्
sañjaya uvāca |
mahārāja! kaurava-senāpar dhāvā karate hue yoddhāoṃ meṃ śreṣṭha mahārathī arjunako rākṣasarāja alambuṣane rokā ||
tathā droṇaṃ maheṣvāsaṃ nighnantaṃ śatravān raṇe |
dhṛṣṭadyumno ’tha pāñcālyo hṛṣṭarūpam avārayat ||
Sañjaya dit : Ô roi, parmi les meilleurs guerriers qui se ruaient sur l’armée des Kaurava, Arjuna, le grand combattant de char, fut arrêté par Alambuṣa, roi des Rākṣasas. De même, au cœur de la mêlée, Dhṛṣṭadyumna de Pañcāla, rayonnant d’une résolution farouche, affronta et contint Droṇa, l’archer puissant, tandis que celui-ci abattait ses ennemis. La scène montre comment les champions essentiels sont délibérément engagés pour freiner le carnage et infléchir le cours de la guerre : la vaillance et la stratégie s’entrelacent avec le lourd poids moral d’un combat régi par le dharma et le devoir.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a righteous war framed by dharma, outcomes hinge on disciplined restraint and targeted engagement: key warriors are checked by worthy opponents to limit devastation and to uphold strategic responsibility. Valor is not mere fury; it is directed action under duty.
As warriors surge against the Kaurava host, Arjuna is intercepted by the Rakshasa king Alambusha. At the same time, Dhrishtadyumna of Panchala moves to stop Drona, who is cutting down enemies in battle, thereby forcing a direct contest between principal champions.