Shloka 66
Droṇa’s sweeping assault and the Abhimanyu–Jayadratha close-quarters episode (द्रोणस्य भीषणव्यचरितम् / सौभद्र-जयद्रथ-संनिपातः)
यथा दुर्योधन: काम नेम॑ द्रोणादवाप्रुयात् । “महाधनुर्धर अर्जुन! वह अन्तर उन्होंने तुम्हींपर डाल रखा है। अतः महाबाहो! आज तुम मेरे समीप रहकर ही युद्ध करो, जिससे दुर्योधन द्रोणाचार्यसे अपने इस मनोरथको पूर्ण न करा सके'
sañjaya uvāca | yathā duryodhanaḥ kāmaṁ naiva droṇād avāpnuyāt | mahādhanuṣdhara arjuna! vah antar hī unhoṁne tumhīṁpar ḍāl rakhā hai | ataḥ mahābāho! āja tvaṁ mama samīpe rahkar hī yuddha karo, yasmāt duryodhanaḥ droṇācāryāt asya manorathasya pūrtiṁ na kuryāt |
Sañjaya berkata: Agar Duryodhana tidak memperoleh maksud yang diinginkannya melalui Droṇa—wahai Arjuna, pemanah agung, ia telah menambatkan sasaran batinnya kepadamu. Maka, wahai yang berlengan kuat, bertempurlah hari ini dengan tetap dekat denganku, agar niat Duryodhana itu tidak terpenuhi lewat Droṇācārya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how intention and strategy shape outcomes in war: a leader’s plan (Duryodhana’s) can be thwarted by vigilance, proximity to allies, and timely tactical choices. Ethically, it underscores responsibility in action—preventing an unjust aim from being fulfilled through a powerful agent (Drona).
Sanjaya reports that Duryodhana has directed Drona’s focus toward Arjuna as a key target. The counsel is that Arjuna should fight while staying close (to his ally/commander in context), so that Duryodhana’s objective—achieved via Drona—does not succeed.