Shloka 13
Droṇa Encircled at Night: Coalition Advance and Battlefield Omens (द्रोणपर्यावरणं रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणान् विप्रानर्चितांस्तुष्टमानसान्,तदनन्तर पूजित एवं संतुष्टचित्त हुए ब्राह्मणोंकी परिक्रमा करके आठः प्रकारकी मांगलिक वस्तुओंका स्पर्श करनेके पश्चात् भीमसेनने कैरातक मधुका पान किया। फिर तो वीर भीमसेनका बल और उत्साह दुगुना हो गया, उनके नेत्र मदसे लाल हो गये थे
kṛtvā pradakṣiṇān viprān arcitāṁs tuṣṭa-mānasān | tad-anantaraṁ pūjita evaṁ saṁtuṣṭa-citto bhīmasenaḥ kairātaka-madhukāṁ pītvā balam utsāhaṁ ca dvi-guṇaṁ cakāra; tasya netre mada-lāle babhūvatuḥ ||
Setelah memuliakan para brāhmaṇa dan mengelilingi mereka dengan hati yang puas, lalu menyentuh delapan lambang pertanda mujur, Bhīmasena meminum madu-anggur Kirātaka. Seketika kekuatan dan semangat sang Bhīma yang perkasa menjadi dua kali lipat, dan matanya memerah karena mabuk.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse juxtaposes ritual reverence (honoring and circumambulating brāhmaṇas, engaging in auspicious acts) with the pursuit of heightened martial capacity. It reflects a tension often present in epic ethics: social-religious propriety is observed, yet the immediate aim is to amplify kṣatriya power and battle-readiness, even through intoxicants—raising questions about means versus ends within dharma.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīma first performs respectful rites toward brāhmaṇas and completes auspicious observances; afterward he drinks a Kirāta honey-liquor (madhukā). The drink intensifies his vigor—his strength and enthusiasm become double, and his eyes redden from intoxication—signaling readiness for fierce action in the war context.