Shloka 40
द्रोणवध-प्रश्नः
Droṇa’s Fall: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Inquiry
यः स पाञ्चालसेनानीद्रोणमंशमकल्पयत् । पारावतसवर्णस्त धृष्टद्युम्नमुदावहन्
yaḥ sa pāñcāla-senānī droṇam aṁśam akalpayat | pārāvata-savarṇas ta dhṛṣṭadyumnam udāvahan ||
Sañjaya berkata: Panglima Pāñcāla yang telah menetapkan Droṇa sebagai ‘bagian’ yang ditakdirkan baginya (lawan yang harus dihadapi), yakni Dhṛṣṭadyumna yang berwarna laksana merpati, dibawa maju ke kancah perang.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of choosing one’s ‘allotted share’ in conflict: a leader deliberately takes responsibility for confronting a formidable adversary, suggesting resolve, accountability, and the sense of destiny that often frames duty in epic warfare.
Sañjaya describes Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the Pāñcāla commander, moving forward in battle with the intention of facing Droṇa—presented as the opponent he has taken upon himself as his destined portion.