Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions
तावुभौ कुरुशार्दूलौ परस्परवधैषिणौ । गाड़ेयस्तु रणे पार्थ विद्धवा नाकम्पयद् बली,वे दोनों कुरुकुलके सिंह थे और एक-दूसरेको मार डालनेकी इच्छा रखते थे। बलवान् भीष्म युद्धमें अर्जुनको घायल करके भी उन्हें विचलित न कर सके
tāv ubhau kuruśārdūlau parasparavadhaiṣiṇau | gāḍeyas tu raṇe pārtha viddhvā nākampayad balī ||
Keduanya adalah singa di antara kaum Kuru, saling mengincar maut satu sama lain. Namun Bhīṣma yang perkasa, meski melukai Pārtha di pertempuran, tak mampu membuatnya goyah.
संजय उवाच
Even when wounded and under extreme pressure, a warrior committed to duty should not lose composure. The verse highlights steadiness (akampanatā) as a key ethical quality in battle—courage expressed as unwavering resolve rather than mere aggression.
Sanjaya describes a fierce exchange between two foremost Kuru champions—Bhishma and Arjuna—each seeking to defeat the other. Bhishma manages to wound Arjuna, but Arjuna remains unshaken, indicating the intensity of the duel and Arjuna’s firmness of mind.