Shloka 9
द्रोणविक्रमदर्शनम् / The Display of Droṇa’s Onslaught and the Debate on Pāṇḍava Regrouping
द्रोणस्तु तत् समालोक्य चरितं तस्य संयुगे । मनसा चिन्तयामास प्राप्तकालमरिंदम:,तब शत्रुओंका दमन करनेवाले द्रोणाचार्यने युद्धस्थलमें उसका वह पराक्रम देख मन- ही-मन समयोचित कर्तव्यका चिन्तन किया
droṇas tu tat samālokya caritaṁ tasya saṁyuge | manasā cintayāmāsa prāptakālam ariṁdamaḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : Voyant sur le champ de bataille la conduite et la prouesse de ce guerrier, Droṇācārya—dompteur des ennemis—médita en son for intérieur sur l’acte le plus opportun et le plus juste pour l’instant présent.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent leadership: after witnessing an opponent’s prowess, a commander should pause for inner deliberation and choose the action that is prāptakāla—ethically and strategically appropriate to the time and circumstance—rather than reacting impulsively.
Sañjaya narrates that Droṇa observes a warrior’s notable performance in the ongoing battle and then mentally considers what should be done next, indicating a shift from mere observation to strategic decision-making.