Shloka 22
द्रोणविक्रमदर्शनम् / The Display of Droṇa’s Onslaught and the Debate on Pāṇḍava Regrouping
तस्मिन् हते महामात्रे पज्चालानां महारथे । अपायाज्जवनैरश्रैद्रोणात् त्रस्तो युधिष्ठिर:
tasmin hate mahāmātre pāñcālānāṁ mahārathe | apāyāj javanair astrair droṇāt trasto yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : Lorsque ce grand commandant—le puissant guerrier de char des Pāñcālas—eut été tué, Yudhiṣṭhira, ébranlé par la peur, se retira devant Droṇa, tandis que le précepteur le pressait d’armes au vol rapide. L’instant montre que même le roi juste, voué à la retenue, est contraint par l’élan brutal de la guerre de reculer face à une force martiale supérieure.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of dharma in war: even a principled leader like Yudhiṣṭhira can be overwhelmed by circumstances, showing that righteousness must contend with fear, force, and the harsh realities of battle.
After a prominent Pāñcāla commander and great chariot-warrior is killed, Droṇa attacks fiercely with rapid astras. Yudhiṣṭhira, alarmed, withdraws from Droṇa’s assault.