युधिष्ठिरस्य कृष्णार्जुनादि-समाश्वासनम्
Yudhiṣṭhira’s reassurance and praise of Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna, Bhīma, and Sātyaki
द्रोणो5पि रथिनां श्रेष्ठ; पज्चालान् पाण्डवांस्तथा । अभ्यद्रवत संक्रुद्धो जवमास्थाय मध्यमम्,इधर रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ द्रोणाचार्य भी क्रोधमें भरकर मध्यम वेगका आश्रय ले पांचालों और पाण्डवोंपर टूट पड़े
Droṇo 'pi rathināṃ śreṣṭhaḥ pāñcālān pāṇḍavāṃs tathā | abhyadravat saṃkruddho javam āsthāya madhyamam ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Droṇa pun—yang utama di antara para kesatria kereta—melaju menyerbu Pāñcāla dan Pāṇḍava. Diliputi amarah, ia maju dengan kecepatan sedang, menekan serangan dengan kendali.”
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the ethical tension of warfare: even a revered teacher like Droṇa, bound by martial duty and command, can be driven by anger, yet still acts with deliberate control (madhyama-java). It suggests that in dharmic conflict, inner states like krodha shape action, and restraint remains a meaningful virtue even amid violence.
Sañjaya reports that Droṇa, famed as the foremost chariot-warrior, becomes enraged and charges the Pāñcālas and the Pāṇḍavas, advancing with a medium, measured speed as he launches his assault.