Shloka 1
Droṇasya raudra-prayogaḥ
Droṇa’s intensified assault and the Pāṇḍava response
अपन का छा | अकाल सप्तमो<्ध्याय: द्रोणाचार्यका सेनापतिके पदपर अभिषेक, कौरव-पाण्डव- सेनाओंका युद्ध और द्रोणका पराक्रम द्रोण उदाच वेदं षडड़ृ वेदाहमर्थविद्यां च मानवीम् । त्रैय्यम्बकमथेष्वस्त्रं शस्त्राणि विविधानि च,द्रोणाचार्यने कहा--राजन्! मैं छहों अंगोंसहित वेद, मनुजीका कहा हुआ अर्थशास्त्र, भगवान् शंकरकी दी हुई बाण-विद्या और अनेक प्रकारके अस्त्र-शस्त्र भी जानता हूँ
droṇa uvāca | vedaṃ ṣaḍ-aṅgaṃ vedāham artha-vidyāṃ ca mānavīm | traiyambakam atho ’ṣv-astraṃ śastrāṇi vividhāni ca ||
Droṇa berkata: “Wahai Raja! Aku mengetahui Weda beserta enam aṅga-nya, dan juga artha-vidyā (ilmu tata negara dan pemerintahan) yang diajarkan Manu. Aku pun mengetahui ilmu senjata pelontar yang dianugerahkan Tryambaka (Śiva), serta beragam senjata dan persenjataan.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the breadth of Droṇa’s mastery—scriptural learning (Veda with Vedāṅgas), political wisdom (artha-vidyā in Manu’s tradition), and martial science (astra-śastra). It implicitly raises an ethical question central to the epic: profound knowledge can serve dharma or intensify destruction, depending on intent and allegiance.
At the opening of this chapter in Droṇa Parva, Droṇa speaks to the king (Dhṛtarāṣṭra, via Sañjaya’s narration) asserting his qualifications and prowess. This functions as a prelude to his leadership in battle and the display of his formidable power once he is placed at the head of the Kaurava forces.