Shloka 18
अभिमन्युवधः
Abhimanyu’s Fall and the Battlefield Aftermath
पुरा सर्वान् प्रमथ्नाति ब्रूहस्य वधमाशु न: । ततो द्रोणो महेष्वास: सर्वास्तान् प्रत्यभाषत,“आचार्य! अभिमन्यु हमलोगोंको मार डाले' इसके पहले ही हमें शीघ्र यह बताइये कि इसका वध किस प्रकार होगा?” तब महाधनुर्धर द्रोणाचार्यने उन सबसे कहा--
sañjaya uvāca |
purā sarvān pramathnāti brūhy asya vadham āśu naḥ |
tato droṇo maheṣvāsaḥ sarvāṁs tān pratyabhāṣata |
Sañjaya berkata: “Sebelum ia menghancurkan kita semua, katakanlah segera bagaimana ia dapat dibunuh.” Maka Droṇa, sang pemanah agung, menjawab mereka semua. Petikan ini menegaskan desakan muram perang: rasa gentar dan kebutuhan siasat mendorong nasihat menuju jalan mematikan, bahkan terhadap seorang kesatria muda yang gagah.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, anxiety for survival can eclipse moral clarity: counsel becomes focused on ‘how to kill’ a formidable foe rather than on righteous conduct. It invites reflection on dharma under pressure—whether strategic necessity justifies morally troubling choices.
Amid Abhimanyu’s devastating advance, the Kaurava warriors urgently ask for the means of killing him before he destroys them. Droṇa, renowned as a master archer and commander, then begins to answer their request.