Shloka 166
Droṇa Encircled at Night: Coalition Advance and Battlefield Omens (द्रोणपर्यावरणं रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
साज्भद: सतलत्राण: सरथो रथिनां वर: । अनुकूल हवा चलकर उन्हें शीघ्र ही अवश्यम्भावी विजयकी सूचना देने लगी। रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ महाबाहु भीमसेन कवच, सुन्दर कुण्डल, बाजूबन्द और तलत्राण (दस्ताने) धारण करके रथपर आरूढ़ हो गये
sāṅgadhaḥ satala-trāṇaḥ sa-ratho rathināṁ varaḥ | anukūlo vāyuḥ calan tān śīghram eva avaśyambhāvī-vijayasya sūcanāṁ dadau | rathināṁ śreṣṭho mahābāhur bhīmasenaḥ kavacaṁ sundara-kuṇḍale bāzubandhau ca tala-trāṇāni ca dhārayitvā ratham ārūḍhavān |
Sanjaya berkata: Dengan senjata lengkap, pelindung tangan terpasang, dan telah naik ke keretanya, sang terbaik di antara para kesatria-kereta bersiap bertindak. Angin yang menguntungkan pun berembus, seakan cepat menyampaikan pertanda kemenangan yang tak terelakkan. Lalu Bhimasena, berlengan perkasa dan terunggul di antara para petarung, mengenakan zirah, anting yang elok, kelat lengan, serta pelindung tangan, kemudian menaiki keretanya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights kṣatriya readiness and resolve in a dharmic conflict: one must prepare with discipline and courage, while recognizing that signs (like a favorable wind) are interpreted as encouragement—not as a substitute for right action and responsibility.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma’s immediate war-preparations: he puts on armor and ornaments and mounts his chariot. Simultaneously, a favorable wind blows, taken as an omen that swiftly signals an impending, seemingly certain victory.