Shloka 35
विरथ: स गृहीत्वा तु खड्गं खड्गभृतां वर । द्रोणमभ्यपतद् राजन् वैनतेय इवोरगम्,राजन! रथहीन हो जानेपर खड्गधारियोंमें श्रेष्ठ धृष्टद्यम्म खड्ग हाथमें लेकर द्रोणाचार्यपर उसी प्रकार टूट पड़े, जैसे गरुड़ किसी सर्पपर झपटते हैं
virathaḥ sa gṛhītvā tu khaḍgaṃ khaḍgabhṛtāṃ vara | droṇam abhyapatad rājan vainateya ivoragam ||
Sañjaya berkata: Maka, meski telah kehilangan keretanya, Dhṛṣṭadyumna—yang terunggul di antara para pendekar pedang—menghunus pedangnya dan menerjang Droṇa, wahai Raja, laksana Garuḍa, putra Vinatā, menyambar seekor ular.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfast courage and resolve: even when deprived of advantage (being without a chariot), a warrior can act decisively. Ethically, it reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension between personal valor, duty in war, and the relentless momentum of conflict.
Sañjaya reports that Dhṛṣṭadyumna, now without his chariot, takes up a sword and charges directly at Droṇācārya. The attack is compared to Garuḍa swooping upon a serpent, emphasizing speed, dominance, and lethal intent.