Shloka 39
Adhyāya 16: Saṃśaptaka-vrata and the Diversion of Arjuna (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६)
ततो5भवन्महाशब्दो राजन् यौधिष्ठिरे बले । हतो राजेति योधानां समीपस्थे यतव्रते,राजन! नियम एवं व्रतका पालन करनेवाले द्रोणाचार्य युधिष्ठिरके बहुत निकट आ गये। तब उनकी सेनाके सैनिकोंमें महान् हाहाकार मच गया। सब लोग कहने लगे “हाय, राजा मारे गये”
tato 'bhavan mahāśabdo rājan yauḍhiṣṭhire bale | hato rājeti yodhānāṃ samīpasth(e) yatavrate ||
Maka, wahai Raja, timbullah kegemparan besar di bala tentara Yudhiṣṭhira. Para kesatria yang berada dekat berseru, “Raja telah terbunuh!”—sebab Droṇācārya, yang menahan diri dan teguh memegang laku-janji, telah datang sangat dekat kepada Yudhiṣṭhira.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how quickly fear and unverified reports can destabilize an army and its morale; even the approach of a disciplined, formidable opponent can trigger rumor-driven panic, showing the ethical importance of steadiness, discernment, and responsible speech in crisis.
Droṇa comes very close to Yudhiṣṭhira on the battlefield; seeing this, nearby soldiers in Yudhiṣṭhira’s army raise a loud outcry, believing and proclaiming that the king has been killed.