Shloka 10
द्रोणाभिमुखानां निवारण-युद्धम् / Interceptions on the Droṇa-front
मध्ये राज्ञां महाबाहुं सदा युद्धाभिनन्दिनम् । सर्वस्त्रिपारगं द्रोणं कथं मृत्युरुपेयिवान्,राजाओंके बीचमें सदा युद्धका अभिनन्दन करनेवाले सम्पूर्ण अस्त्र-विद्याके पारंगत विद्वान् महाबाहु द्रोणाचार्यको कैसे मृत्यु प्राप्त हुई?
madhye rājñāṃ mahābāhuṃ sadā yuddhābhinandinam | sarvāstrapāragaṃ droṇaṃ kathaṃ mṛtyur upeyivān ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra berkata: “Di tengah para raja berdiri Droṇa—berlengan perkasa, senantiasa bersukacita dalam perang, dan mahir sempurna dalam segala senjata serta ilmu keprajuritan. Bagaimana orang seperti itu sampai menemui ajalnya?”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of worldly power and expertise: even the most accomplished warrior-teacher is not beyond death. It frames an ethical reflection on war—how violence consumes even its greatest champions—and invites inquiry into the causes (dharma, strategy, deception, and destiny) behind a revered figure’s fall.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra questions Sañjaya about the death of Droṇa, emphasizing Droṇa’s stature among kings and his complete mastery of weapons. The question sets up the account of how, despite his prowess and central position in the battle, Droṇa was brought down.