Shloka 19
जयद्रथवधः — The Slaying of Jayadratha
Sunset Vow and Curse-Condition
द्रोणो वा रथिनां श्रेष्ठ: कृपो मद्रेश्वरो 5पि वा । तथापि सम्भ्रमो न स्यात् त्वामाश्रित्य महाभुज,महाबाहो! रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ द्रोणाचार्य, कृपाचार्य अथवा मद्रराज शल्य ही क्यों न खड़े हों, तथापि आपके आश्रित रहकर मुझे कदापि भय नहीं हो सकता
droṇo vā rathināṃ śreṣṭhaḥ kṛpo madreśvaro 'pi vā | tathāpi sambhramo na syāt tvām āśritya mahābhuja ||
Wahai yang berlengan perkasa! Sekalipun Droṇa, yang terunggul di antara para kesatria kereta, atau Kṛpa, atau bahkan Śalya raja Madra berdiri melawan kita, tetap takkan timbul kegentaran. Bersandar padamu, rasa takut takkan menguasai diriku.
सूत उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steadiness in crisis: even when formidable opponents stand ahead, one should not succumb to panic if one has taken refuge in a capable leader. The verse highlights disciplined courage—fear is restrained through trust, resolve, and clear dependence on strength and protection.
The sūta narrates a moment of battlefield appraisal: the speaker names terrifying champions (Droṇa, Kṛpa, Śalya) yet asserts that, with the addressed mighty warrior as support, there is no cause for alarm. It underscores morale-building and confidence before or during a confrontation.