Shloka 162
Droṇavadha-saṃniveśaḥ — The Convergence Toward Droṇa’s Fall
Book 7, Chapter 164
पाण्डुनन्दन युधिष्ठिर अपने रथकी भारी घर्घराहटसे भूतलको उसी प्रकार प्रतिध्वनित कर रहे थे, जैसे वर्षाकालमें गर्जना करता हुआ मेघ दसों दिशाओंको गुँजा देता है। उन्होंने शत्रुओंका संहार करनेवाले भीमसेनके पार्श्चभागकी रक्षाका भार ले लिया। उधर द्रोणाचार्य भी रात्रिके समय पाण्डव तथा पांचाल सैनिकोंका संहार करने लगे ।। इति श्रीमहाभारते द्रोणपर्वणि घटोत्कचवधपर्वणि रात्रियुद्धे द्विषष्ट्यधिकशततमो<ध्याय:
Pāṇḍunandana Yudhiṣṭhiraḥ sva-rathasya bhārī-ghargharāhaṭena bhūtalaṃ tathā pratidhvanayām āsa, yathā varṣākāle garjan meghaḥ daśa diśo guñjayati. Sa śatru-saṃhārake Bhīmasenasya pārśva-pṛṣṭha-bhāgasya rakṣā-bhāraṃ jagrāha. Atha D्रोṇācāryo ’pi rātri-samaye Pāṇḍava-Pāñcāla-sainyānāṃ saṃhāraṃ kartum ārabdhaḥ.
Sañjaya berkata: “Yudhiṣṭhira, putra Pāṇḍu, membuat bumi bergemuruh oleh deru berat keretanya, laksana awan menggelegar di musim hujan yang memenuhi sepuluh penjuru dengan gaungnya. Ia memikul sendiri tugas menjaga sisi dan belakang Bhīmasena, sang pembinasa musuh. Sementara itu, dalam kelamnya malam, Droṇācārya pun mulai membantai pasukan Pāṇḍava dan Pañcāla.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid chaotic and ethically fraught conditions like a night-battle, dharma expresses itself as responsibility: Yudhiṣṭhira prioritizes the protection of an ally (guarding Bhīma’s vulnerable rear), while the narrative simultaneously exposes how war can drive leaders like Droṇa toward relentless destruction—inviting reflection on the limits of righteous conduct in extreme circumstances.
Sañjaya describes Yudhiṣṭhira’s chariot thundering like a monsoon cloud, signaling force and resolve. Yudhiṣṭhira takes up a protective position to secure Bhīma’s flank and rear. At the same time, Droṇācārya launches night-time attacks, killing Pāṇḍava and Pāñcāla troops during the ongoing night engagement.