Shloka 15
अध्याय ५८ — वानरध्वजस्य महेन्द्रास्त्रप्रयोगः
Chapter 58: Arjuna’s Deployment of the Indra-Weapon
समश्लिष्टौ तदान्योन्यं द्रोणपार्थों महाबलौ । दृष्टवा प्राकम्पत मुहुर्भरतानां महद् बलम्
samaśliṣṭau tadānyonyaṃ droṇapārthau mahābalau | dṛṣṭvā prākampata muhur bharatānāṃ mahad balam ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Alors Droṇa et Pārtha (Arjuna), tous deux d’une grande puissance, parurent comme enlacés dans une étreinte réciproque. Les voyant ainsi—maître et disciple, au bord même de la bataille—la vaste armée des Bhārata trembla maintes fois de peur.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of kṣatriya-dharma when duty leads to confrontation between revered teacher and disciple. Their mutual regard remains visible even at the brink of combat, while the wider army reacts with fear to the concentrated power and consequence embodied in such a clash.
Droṇa and Arjuna face each other in battle and are described as if they are mutually embracing—an image conveying closeness and recognition despite hostility. Observing this formidable pair, the Bharata host repeatedly trembles, anticipating the devastation that their encounter could unleash.