Shloka 286
Adhyāya 40 (Book 7, Droṇa-parva): Abhimanyu’s Rapid Advance and Battlefield Disruption
आरुजन्तं रथव्रातान् वजहस्तात्मजात्मजम् | कोई भी रथी रथसमूहोंको नष्ट-भ्रष्ट करते हुए इन्द्रकुमार अर्जुनके उस पुत्रको द्रोणाचार्यकी ओर जानेसे रोक न सका
sañjaya uvāca | ārujantam rathavrātān vajahastātmajātmajam |
Sañjaya dit : Tandis que ce petit-fils d’Arjuna—portant dans ses mains une puissance pareille au vajra, la foudre—avançait en broyant des amas entiers de chars, nul guerrier ne put l’empêcher de marcher vers Droṇācārya. La scène révèle que, dans la fureur de la bataille, même les combattants aguerris peuvent être submergés lorsqu’un héros soutenu par le divin progresse avec une résolution inébranlable.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfast advance in battle and the moral tension of war: extraordinary prowess can make resistance futile, yet the narrative reminds the listener that such power is directed toward a chosen objective (here, reaching Droṇa), raising questions about duty, loyalty, and the costs of martial resolve.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna’s grandson, fighting with thunderbolt-like force, is breaking through chariot formations. Despite attempts by various chariot-warriors, no one can prevent him from moving toward Droṇācārya.