Shloka 526
Droṇa Encircled at Night: Coalition Advance and Battlefield Omens (द्रोणपर्यावरणं रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
द्रोणाय व्यसृजद् राजन् स रथादवपुप्लुवे । राजन! ऐसा कहकर भीमसेनने गदा उठा ली, मानो यमराजने कालदण्ड हाथमें ले लिया हो। उन्होंने उस गदाको घुमाकर द्रोणाचार्यपर दे मारा, किंतु द्रोणाचार्य शीघ्र ही रथसे कूद पड़े
droṇāya vyasṛjad rājan sa rathād avapupluve |
Sanjaya berkata: “Wahai Raja, setelah berkata demikian Bhīmasena mengangkat gadanya, laksana Yama menggenggam tongkat maut. Ia memutarnya lalu melemparkannya ke arah Droṇa; namun Droṇa dengan sigap melompat turun dari keretanya.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a dharma-framed war, survival and alertness are practical necessities; greatness is shown not only in prowess but in timely judgment—responding to danger without ego, especially amid escalating violence.
An attacker (contextually Bhīma in the surrounding passage) hurls a weapon toward Droṇa; Droṇa reacts instantly by jumping down from his chariot to evade the blow.