Shloka 40
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 25 — Bhīma’s Disruption of Elephant Formations and Bhagadatta’s Shock Advance
दुर्मुखस्तु महेष्वासो वीरं पुरुजितं बली । द्रोणायाभिमुखं यान्तं वत्सदन्तैरवारयत्,महाधनुर्धर बलवान् दुर्मुखने द्रोणाचार्यके सामने जाते हुए वीर पुरुजित॒को वत्सदन्तोंके प्रहारद्वारा रोक दिया
durmukhastu maheṣvāso vīraṃ purujitaṃ balī | droṇāyābhimukhaṃ yāntaṃ vatsadantair avārayat |
Sañjaya dit : Durmukha, grand archer et guerrier puissant, arrêta le héros Purujit qui s’avançait droit vers Droṇa, le stoppant par les coups de son arme nommée Vatsadanta. La scène rappelle que, dans la cohue du combat, la loyauté envers son chef et le devoir de barrer la route à l’ennemi qui fond deviennent des actes décisifs—tout en resserrant la trame tragique de la violence qui dévore la vaillance des deux camps.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-duty in wartime: protecting one’s commander and obstructing an enemy’s advance is treated as a necessary obligation. Ethically, it also reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension—personal heroism and loyalty operate within a destructive cycle where even ‘right action’ in battle contributes to collective tragedy.
As Purujit moves directly toward Droṇa, Durmukha—renowned as a great archer—intercepts him and halts his advance by striking him with a weapon referred to as Vatsadanta.