Shloka 3
घटोत्कच-कर्णयुद्धम्
Ghaṭotkaca–Karna Combat and the Release of Śakti
आचार्यविदहितं व्यूहं भित्त्वा देवै: सुदुर्भिदम् । तव व्यायच्छमानस्य द्रोणस्यथ च महात्मन:
ācārya-vidhitaṃ vyūhaṃ bhittvā devaiḥ sudurbhidam | tava vyāyacchamānasya droṇasyātha ca mahātmanaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Setelah menerobos formasi perang yang disusun oleh sang guru—yang bahkan para dewa pun amat sukar menembusnya—mereka maju; sementara Droṇa yang mulia berjuang menahan mereka di medan laga.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical strain of kṣatriya-duty in war: even a noble commander acting according to his role must confront the reality that strategy and personal effort may not prevent a determined breakthrough. It invites reflection on steadfastness, limits of control, and the tragic momentum of conflict.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the opposing warriors have pierced Droṇa’s carefully arranged battle-array—so formidable it is likened to one hard even for the gods to break—despite Droṇa’s strenuous attempts to check their advance.