Shloka 72
युधिष्ठिरस्य कृष्णार्जुनादि-समाश्वासनम्
Yudhiṣṭhira’s reassurance and praise of Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna, Bhīma, and Sātyaki
तेषु प्रद्रवमाणेषु पडचालान् सृञ्जयांस्तथा । अयोधयदू रणे द्रोणस्तत्र तत्र पराक्रमी
teṣu pradravamāṇeṣu padacālān sṛñjayāṁs tathā | ayodhayad raṇe droṇas tatra tatra parākramī ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai Raja, ketika para prajurit pejalan kaki dan kaum Sṛñjaya lari tunggang-langgang, Droṇa yang perkasa berulang kali menghadang mereka di berbagai penjuru medan laga dan kembali mengikat mereka dalam pertempuran—menekan pelarian itu dan menampakkan keperkasaannya di tengah hiruk-pikuk perang.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh momentum of war: when troops lose cohesion and flee, a powerful commander exploits the disorder. Ethically, it underscores how fear and breakdown of discipline can magnify suffering, while also reflecting the kṣatriya-world logic where prowess and tactical pressure decide outcomes.
Sañjaya reports that as the infantry and the Sṛñjaya forces were in flight, Droṇa—renowned for valor—kept engaging them across different parts of the battlefield, effectively pursuing and attacking the scattered troops.