उपायैः पूर्ववधकथनम् / Strategic Justifications for Prior Eliminations
सहिता: संन्यवर्तन्त द्रोणमेव द्विजर्षभम् । इसी प्रकार पाण्डव-सेनाके अन्य महारथी वीर पुरुषसिंह भी एक साथ द्विजदश्रेष्ठ ट्रोणाचार्ुकी ओर ही लौट आये ।। १४ $ ।। तेषु शूरेषु युद्धाय गतेषु भरतर्षभ
sahitāḥ saṃnyavartanta droṇam eva dvijarṣabham | teṣu śūreṣu yuddhāya gateṣu bharatarṣabha
Bersatu, mereka berbalik—menuju Droṇa semata, sang unggul di antara para brāhmaṇa. Dan ketika para kesatria gagah itu maju untuk bertempur, wahai terbaik dari Bharata, seluruh pertempuran pun menjadi menentukan dengan Droṇa sebagai pusatnya.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how a single pivotal leader can become the focal point of an entire battle: the foremost warriors reorient their movement and intent around Droṇa. Ethically, it underscores the gravity of martial duty (kṣatriya-dharma) when directed toward a central, formidable opponent, and how collective resolve forms around decisive targets in war.
Sañjaya reports that the warriors, acting together, turn back toward Droṇa, described as the foremost among the twice-born. The second half sets the scene: as those heroes proceed to fight, the narrative transitions into a battle phase in which Droṇa becomes the central figure drawing the engagement.