Shloka 40
अभिमन्यु–अलम्बुसयुद्धम् / The Duel of Abhimanyu and Alambusa
with Arjuna’s approach to Bhīṣma
विमुखांश्रैव तान् दृष्टवा द्रौणिचापच्युतै:शरै:
vimukhāṁś caiva tān dṛṣṭvā drauṇi-cāpa-cyutaiḥ śaraiḥ
द्रौणि के धनुष से छूटे बाणों से आहत होकर उन्हें विमुख होते देख संजय ने रण में उनकी पीछे हटती मुद्रा को युद्धदाब का प्रत्यक्ष चिह्न माना।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, inner resolve is tested by visible force: when struck by a powerful warrior’s arrows, even fighters may turn away. It implicitly contrasts steadfastness with wavering, a recurring ethical pressure-point within kṣatriya-dharma.
Sañjaya reports that certain warriors are seen turning away/retreating after being hit by arrows shot from Drauṇi’s bow, indicating Drauṇi’s effectiveness and a momentary shift in the battle’s momentum.