Adhyaya 57

Verse 1

[दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठका इं श्लोक मिलाकर कुल ७२ ३ “लोक हैं।] शीस्स्लश्शा5सस हज * त्रिपज्चाशत्तमो< ध्याय: धृष्टद्युम्न तथा द्रोणाचार्यका युद्ध धृतराष्ट उवाच कथं द्रोणो महेष्वास: पाञ्चाल्यश्लापि पार्षत: । उभौ समीयतुर्यत्ती तन्‍्ममाचक्ष्व संजय,धृतराष्ट्रने पूछा--संजय! महाथनुर्थर द्रोणाचार्य तथा द्रुपदपुत्र धृष्टद्युम्न--ये दोनों वीर किस प्रकार प्रयत्नपूर्वक आपसमें युद्ध कर रहे थे, वह सब वृत्तान्त मुझसे कहो

Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “Tell me, Sañjaya—how did Droṇa, that mighty archer, and the Pāñcāla prince Dhṛṣṭadyumna, son of Pṛṣata, strive against one another when they came face to face in battle?”

Verse 2

दिष्टमेव परं मन्ये पौरुषादिति मे मति: । यत्र शान्तनवो भीष्मो नातरद्‌ युधि पाण्डवम्‌,मैं तो पुरुषार्थसे अधिक प्रबल भाग्यको ही मानता हूँ और इसीपर विश्वास करता हूँ, जिसके अनुसार शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्म युद्धमें पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनसे पार न पा सके

Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “I am convinced that destiny alone is supreme—stronger than human effort. For by the force of that destiny, Bhīṣma, the son of Śāntanu, could not prevail over the Pāṇḍava (Arjuna) in battle.”

Verse 3

भीष्मो हि समरे क्रुद्धो हन्याल्लोकां श्वराचरान्‌ । स कथं पाण्डवं युद्धे नातरत्‌ संजयौजसा,संजय! भीष्म रणक्षेत्रमें कुपित हो जायँ तो वे चराचर प्राणियोंसहित सम्पूर्ण लोकोंको मार सकते हैं। फिर वे अपने पराक्रमद्वारा युद्धमें पाण्डुकुमार अर्जुनसे क्‍यों न पार पा सके?

Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “For Bhīṣma, if enraged in battle, could slay entire worlds together with all that moves and does not move. How then did he, by his own might, fail to overcome the Pāṇḍava Arjuna in this war, O Sañjaya?”

Verse 4

संजय उवाच शृणु राजन्‌ स्थिरो भूत्वा युद्धमेतत्‌ सुदारुणम्‌ । न शक्‍्या: पाण्डवा जेतुं देवेरपि सवासवै:,संजयने कहा--राजन्‌! पाण्डवोंको तो इन्द्रसहित सम्पूर्ण देवता भी नहीं जीत सकते। अब आप इस अत्यन्त भयंकर युद्धका वृत्तान्त स्थिर होकर सुनिये

Sañjaya said: “O King, listen with a steady mind to this exceedingly dreadful battle. The Pāṇḍavas cannot be conquered—even by the gods themselves, even with Indra at their head.”

Verse 5

द्रोणस्तु निशितैर्बाणैर्धष्टद्युम्ममविध्यत । सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन रथनीडादपातयत्‌,द्रोणाचार्यने अपने तीखे बाणोंसे धृष्टद्युम्मको घायल कर दिया और उनके सारथिको भल्लके द्वारा मारकर रथकी बैठकसे नीचे गिरा दिया

Sañjaya said: Droṇa, with his razor-sharp arrows, struck Dhṛṣṭadyumna and wounded him; and with a bhalla-arrow he slew Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s charioteer, casting him down from the chariot-seat. The scene underscores the ruthless precision of battlefield skill, where even supporting figures like the driver become decisive targets, intensifying the moral weight of war’s necessities.

Verse 6

तथास्य चतुरो वाहांक्षतुर्भि: सायकोत्तमै: । पीडयामास संक्रुद्धो धृष्टद्युम्नस्य मारिष,आर्य! क्रोधमें भरे हुए द्रोणाचार्यने चार उत्तम सायकोंसे धृष्टद्युम्नके चारों घोड़ोंको भी बहुत पीड़ा दी

Sanjaya said: Then, in his fury, Droṇācārya tormented the four horses of Dhṛṣṭadyumna with four excellent arrows—pressing the battle forward by striking at the very means of his opponent’s mobility and control in war.

Verse 7

धृष्टद्युम्नस्ततो द्रोणं नवत्या निशितै: शरै: । विव्याध प्रहसन्‌ वीरस्तिष्ठ तिछेति चाब्रवीत्‌,तब धृष्टद्युम्नने हँसकर नब्बे पैने बाणोंसे द्रोणाचार्यको घायल कर दिया और कहा --'खड़े रहो, खड़े रहो”

Sanjaya said: Then Dhrishtadyumna, laughing in the midst of battle, struck Droṇa with ninety sharp arrows. The valiant warrior called out, “Stand firm—stand firm!”—a taunt that underscores the fierce, personal intensity of the duel even as both fight within the larger obligations of kṣatriya warfare.

Verse 8

ततः पुनरमेयात्मा भारद्वाज: प्रतापवान्‌ | शरै: प्रच्छादयामास धृष्टद्युम्नममर्षणम्‌,तदनन्तर अमेय आत्मबलसे सम्पन्न प्रतापी द्रोणाचार्यने पुनः अमर्षशील धृष्टद्युम्नको अपने बाणोंसे ढक दिया

Sanjaya said: Then again the mighty son of Bharadvāja—of immeasurable spirit and blazing prowess—covered the unyielding Dhṛṣṭadyumna with a dense shower of arrows. In the relentless ethics of battle, this depicts the warrior’s resolve to check an advancing foe through superior skill and force, even as both sides remain bound to the harsh duties of kṣatriya warfare.

Verse 9

आददे च शरं घोरें पार्षतान्तचिकीर्षया । शक्राशनिसमस्पर्श कालदण्डमिवापरम्‌,तत्पश्चात्‌ धृष्टद्युम्मका अन्त कर डालनेकी इच्छासे द्वितीय कालदण्डके समान एक भयंकर बाण हाथमें लिया, जिसका स्पर्श इन्द्रके वज़्के समान कठोर था

Sanjaya said: Then he took up a dreadful arrow, intent on bringing the son of Pārṣata (Dhṛṣṭadyumna) to his end—an arrow whose touch was as hard as Indra’s thunderbolt, like a second staff of Death itself. The scene underscores the grim resolve of warriors in battle, where personal enmity and duty to one’s side drive acts that carry heavy moral weight.

Verse 10

हाहाकारो महानासीतू सर्वसैन्येषु भारत । तमिषुं संधितं दृष्टवा भारद्वाजेन संयुगे,भरतनन्दन! युद्धमें द्रोणाचार्यके द्वारा उस बाणका संधान होता देख सम्पूर्ण पाण्डव- सेनामें महान्‌ हाहाकार मच गया

Sanjaya said: O Bharata, a great cry of alarm arose throughout the entire army when, on the battlefield, they saw the son of Bharadvaja (Drona) fitting and aiming that arrow—an act that signaled a decisive, potentially devastating strike and shook the warriors’ resolve.

Verse 11

उस समय मैंने वहाँ धृष्टद्युम्नका अद्भुत पराक्रम देखा। वह वीर समरांगणमें अकेला ही पर्वतके समान अविचल भावसे खड़ा रहा

Sañjaya said: “At that moment I witnessed there the astonishing prowess of Dhṛṣṭadyumna. That hero, alone on the battlefield, stood firm—unshaken like a mountain—embodying steadfast resolve amid the turmoil of war.”

Verse 12

तं च दीप्तं शरं घोरमायान्तं मृत्युमात्मन: । चिच्छेद शरवृष्टिं च भारद्वाजे मुमोच ह,अपने लिये मृत्यु बनकर आते हुए उस भयंकर तेजस्वी बाणको देखकर धृष्टद्युम्नने तत्काल ही उसे काट गिराया और द्रोणाचार्यपर बाणोंकी वर्षा आरम्भ कर दी

Sañjaya said: Seeing that dreadful, blazing arrow rushing toward him like death itself, Dhṛṣṭadyumna at once cut it down; and then he unleashed a rain of arrows upon Bhāradvāja (Droṇa). In the moral atmosphere of the war, the verse highlights alertness and resolve: even when confronted with seemingly inevitable death, the warrior’s duty is to meet force with disciplined counter-force, not panic.

Verse 13

तत उच्चुक्रुशु: सर्वे पडचाला: पाण्डवै: सह । धृष्टद्युम्नेन तत्‌ कर्म कृतं दृष्टवा सुदुष्करम्‌,धृष्टद्युम्नके द्वारा किये हुए उस अत्यन्त दुष्कर कर्मको देखकर पाण्डवसहित समस्त पांचाल वीर हर्षसे कोलाहल कर उठे

Sañjaya said: Then all the Pāñcālas, together with the Pāṇḍavas, raised a joyful roar on seeing that exceedingly difficult deed accomplished by Dhṛṣṭadyumna. The moment marks the surge of morale in battle when a near-impossible act is successfully carried out, and the allied warriors publicly affirm courage and leadership through their acclaim.

Verse 14

ततः शक्ति महावेगां स्वर्णवैदूर्यभूषिताम्‌ । द्रोणस्य निधनाकाडक्षी चिक्षेप स पराक्रमी,तदनन्तर द्रोणाचार्यकी मृत्यु चाहनेवाले पराक्रमी वीर धृष्टद्युम्नने उनके ऊपर सुवर्ण और वैदूर्यमणिसे भूषित अत्यन्त वेगशालिनी शक्ति चलायी

Sañjaya said: Then the valiant warrior—intent on bringing about Droṇa’s death—hurled a mighty, swift-flying śakti (javelin), adorned with gold and vaidūrya gems, at Droṇa. The moment underscores how, in the heat of war, resolve hardens into lethal intent, and splendid weapons become instruments of a grim, duty-entangled violence.

Verse 15

तामापतन्तीं सहसा शक्ति कनकभूषिताम्‌ । त्रिधा चिच्छेद समरे भारद्वाजो हसन्निव,उस सुवर्णभूषित शक्तिको सहसा आती देख द्रोणाचार्यने समरभूमिमें हँसते-हँसते उसके तीन टुकड़े कर दिये

Sañjaya said: Seeing that golden-ornamented spear rushing toward him all at once, Bhāradvāja (Droṇa), as if smiling, cut it into three pieces on the battlefield. The scene underscores the grim asymmetry of war: skill and composure can neutralize even a deadly weapon in an instant, yet such mastery is exercised within a violent field where lives are at stake.

Verse 16

शक्ति विनिहतां दृष्टवा धृष्टद्युम्न: प्रतापवान्‌ । ववर्ष शरवर्षाणि द्रोणं प्रति जनेश्वर,जनेश्वर! अपनी शक्तिको नष्ट हुई देख प्रतापी धृष्टद्युम्नने द्रोणाचार्यपर पुनः बाणोंकी वर्षा आस्मभ कर दी

Sanjaya said: Seeing his spear-weapon rendered useless, the valiant Dhrishtadyumna, O lord of men, poured forth a renewed storm of arrows against Drona—driven by resolve and the relentless momentum of battle.

Verse 17

शरवर्ष ततस्तत्‌ तु संनिवार्य महायशा: । दोणो द्रुपदपुत्रस्य मध्ये चिच्छेद कार्मुकम्‌,तब महायशस्वी द्रोणने उस बाण-वर्षाका निवारण करके ट्रुपदपुत्रके धनुषको बीचसे ही काट डाला

Sañjaya said: Then the illustrious Droṇa, having checked that shower of arrows, cut the bow of Drupada’s son right in the middle. In the moral texture of the battle, the act signals disciplined mastery—neutralizing an opponent’s aggression by disabling the weapon rather than merely trading blows—while also underscoring the relentless efficiency that war demands from even the most renowned teachers.

Verse 18

सच्छिन्नथन्वा समरे गदां गुर्वी महायशा: । द्रोणाय प्रेषयामास गिरिसारमयीं बली,धनुष कट जानेपर महायशस्वी बलवान वीर धृष्टद्युम्नने समरभूमिमें द्रोणाचार्यपर लोहेकी बनी हुई एक भारी गदा चलायी

Sañjaya said: Then the mighty and illustrious warrior, his bow cut in the battle, hurled at Droṇācārya a heavy mace, hard as mountain-ore. The scene underscores the relentless escalation of combat: even when disarmed of one’s primary weapon, a kṣatriya continues the fight with whatever means remain, driven by duty and the harsh ethics of the battlefield.

Verse 19

सा गदा वेगवन्मुक्ता प्रायाद्‌ द्रोणजिघांसया । तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम भारद्वाजस्य विक्रमम्‌,द्रोणाचार्यके वधकी इच्छासे वेगपूर्वक छोड़ी हुई वह गदा बड़े जोरसे चली; परंतु वहाँ हमलोगोंने उस समय द्रोणाचार्यका अद्भुत पराक्रम देखा

Sañjaya said: “That mace, hurled with great speed in the desire to slay Droṇa, sped toward him. Yet there we witnessed something astonishing—the extraordinary prowess of Bhāradvāja’s son, Droṇācārya.”

Verse 20

लाघवाद्‌ व्यंसयामास गदां हेमविभूषिताम्‌ | व्यंसयित्वा गदां तां च प्रेषयामास पार्षतम्‌,उन्होंने बड़ी फुर्तीसे उस स्वर्णभूषित गदाको व्यर्थ कर दिया। इस प्रकार उस गदाको निष्फल करके द्रोणाचार्यने धृष्टद्युम्नपर सुवर्णमय पंखोंसे युक्त अत्यन्त तीक्ष्ण पानीदार और भयंकर 'भल्ल'” नामक बाण चलाये। वे बाण धृष्टद्युम्मका कवच छेदकर रणक्षेत्रमें उनका रक्त पीने लगे

Sanjaya said: With swift skill he rendered the gold-adorned mace ineffective; and having thus neutralized that mace, he then launched (his attack) against the son of Pṛṣata. The scene underscores the ruthless efficiency of battlefield expertise—where strength alone is insufficient, and disciplined technique turns an opponent’s weapon into futility, driving the combat onward without pause.

Verse 21

भल्‍्लान्‌ सुनिशितान्‌ पीतान्‌ रुक्मपुंखान्‌ सुदारुणान्‌ । ते तस्य कवचं भित्त्वा पपु: शोणितमाहवे,उन्होंने बड़ी फुर्तीसे उस स्वर्णभूषित गदाको व्यर्थ कर दिया। इस प्रकार उस गदाको निष्फल करके द्रोणाचार्यने धृष्टद्युम्नपर सुवर्णमय पंखोंसे युक्त अत्यन्त तीक्ष्ण पानीदार और भयंकर 'भल्ल'” नामक बाण चलाये। वे बाण धृष्टद्युम्मका कवच छेदकर रणक्षेत्रमें उनका रक्त पीने लगे

Sañjaya said: “Then he discharged ‘bhalla’ arrows—well-honed, yellow-hued, with golden fletching, and exceedingly dreadful. Those shafts, piercing his armour, drank his blood on the battlefield.”

Verse 22

अथान्यद्‌ धनुरादाय धृष्टद्युम्नो महारथ: । द्रोणं युधि पराक्रम्य शरैरविव्याध पञ्चभि:,तब महारथी धृष्टद्युम्नने दूसरा धनुष लेकर युद्धमें पराक्रमपूर्वक पाँच बाण मारकर द्रोणाचार्यको क्षत-विक्षत कर दिया

Sañjaya said: Then the great chariot-warrior Dhṛṣṭadyumna took up another bow and, advancing with bold prowess in the thick of battle, struck Droṇa with five arrows, wounding him and pressing the assault. The scene underscores the relentless momentum of war, where skill and resolve drive combatants forward even against revered elders, raising the ethical tension between martial duty and reverence for a teacher.

Verse 23

रुधिराक्तौ ततस्तौ तु शुशुभाते नरर्षभौ | वसनन्‍्तसमये राजन्‌ पुष्पिताविव किंशुकौ,राजन्‌! उस समय वे दोनों नरश्रेष्ठ लहूलुहान होकर वसंत-ऋतुमें खिले हुए दो पलाश वृक्षोंकी भाँति अत्यन्त शोभा पाने लगे

Sañjaya said: Then those two bull-like heroes, drenched in blood, shone all the more, O King—like two kiṃśuka (flame-of-the-forest) trees in the spring season, covered with blossoms. The image underscores a grim martial ethic: even amid grievous wounds, valor and steadfastness can appear radiant, though that radiance is born from the terrible cost of war.

Verse 24

अमर्षितस्ततो राजन्‌ पराक्रम्य चमूमुखे । द्रोणो द्रुपदपुत्रस्य पुनश्चिच्छेद कार्मुकम्‌,राजन! तब उस सेनाके अग्रभागमें खड़े हो अमर्षमें भरे हुए द्रोणाचार्यने पराक्रम प्रकट करते हुए पुन: धृष्टद्युम्नका धनुष काट दिया

Sañjaya said: Then, O King, Drona—burning with indignation—advanced to the very front of the army and, displaying his prowess, once again cut down the bow of Drupada’s son (Dhṛṣṭadyumna). The episode underscores how, in the heat of battle, wounded pride and resolve drive warriors to renewed exertion, even as the conflict relentlessly escalates through skill and counter-skill rather than restraint.

Verse 25

अथैनं छिन्नथन्वानं शरै: संनतपर्वभि: । अभ्यवर्षदमेयात्मा वृष्ट्या मेघ इवाचलम्‌,तब अमेय आत्मबलसे सम्पन्न द्रोणाचार्यने जिसका धनुष कट गया था, उन धृष्टद्युम्नपर झुकी हुई गाँठवाले बाणोंकी वर्षा आरम्भ कर दी, मानो मेघ किसी पर्वतपर जलकी बूँदें बरसा रहा हो

Sañjaya said: Then Droṇa—of immeasurable spirit—poured down upon him, whose bow had been cut, a shower of arrows with bent joints, like a cloud raining upon an unmoving mountain. The scene underscores the relentless momentum of battle: even when an opponent is momentarily disadvantaged, the warrior’s duty and tactical urgency drive the assault forward without pause.

Verse 26

सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन रथनीडादपातयत्‌ | अथास्य चतुरो वाहांश्वतुर्भिनिशितै: शरै:,साथ ही उन्होंने भल्‍ल मारकर धृष्टद्युम्नके सारथिको रथकी बैठकसे नीचे गिरा दिया और चार तीखे बाणोंसे उनके चारों घोड़ोंको भी मार गिराया। फिर वे समरांगणमें जोर- जोरसे सिंहनाद करने लगे। इतना ही नहीं, उन्होंने दूसरा बाण मारकर उनके हाथमें स्थित दूसरे धनुषको भी काट डाला

Sañjaya said: With a sharp bhalla-arrow he struck down his charioteer from the chariot-seat; then, with four keen shafts, he felled his four horses. Thus the warrior disabled the chariot itself—an act that displays the ruthless efficiency of battlefield skill, where victory is sought not only by wounding the foe but by breaking the very supports (driver and steeds) that enable him to fight.

Verse 27

पातयामास समरे सिंहनादं ननाद च । ततो<5परेण भल्लेन हस्ताच्चापमथाच्छिनत्‌,साथ ही उन्होंने भल्‍ल मारकर धृष्टद्युम्नके सारथिको रथकी बैठकसे नीचे गिरा दिया और चार तीखे बाणोंसे उनके चारों घोड़ोंको भी मार गिराया। फिर वे समरांगणमें जोर- जोरसे सिंहनाद करने लगे। इतना ही नहीं, उन्होंने दूसरा बाण मारकर उनके हाथमें स्थित दूसरे धनुषको भी काट डाला

Sanjaya said: In the thick of battle he struck down (his opponent’s charioteer) and then let out a lion-like roar. Thereafter, with another sharp arrow he cut the bow from the warrior’s very hand—an act that displays the ruthless precision of war, where skill is used not for dialogue but for disabling the enemy’s capacity to fight.

Verse 28

सच्छिन्नधन्वा विरथो हताश्वचो हतसारथि: । गदापाणिरवारोहत्‌ ख्यापयन्‌ पौरुषं महत्‌,इस प्रकार धनुष कट जाने और घोड़े तथा सारथिके मारे जानेपर रथहीन हुए धृष्टद्युम्न हाथमें गदा लेकर उतरने लगे। भारत! इतनेहीमें अपने महान्‌ पौरुषका परिचय देते हुए द्रोणाचार्यने तुरंत ही बाण मारकर रथसे उतरते-उतरते ही उनकी गदाको भी गिरा दिया। वह एक अद्भुत-सी घटना हुई

Sanjaya said: With his bow cut to pieces, deprived of his chariot, his horses slain and his charioteer killed, Dh5636dadyumna descended, mace in hand, displaying great valor. In the very act of alighting, Dro47a, revealing his own formidable prowess, swiftly struck with an arrow and caused even that mace to fall from Dh5636dadyumna63 handdan astonishing turn amid the harsh ethics of battle, where skill and presence of mind decide life and death in an instant.

Verse 29

तामस्य विशिखैस्तूर्ण पातयामास भारत । रथादनवरूढस्य तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्‌,इस प्रकार धनुष कट जाने और घोड़े तथा सारथिके मारे जानेपर रथहीन हुए धृष्टद्युम्न हाथमें गदा लेकर उतरने लगे। भारत! इतनेहीमें अपने महान्‌ पौरुषका परिचय देते हुए द्रोणाचार्यने तुरंत ही बाण मारकर रथसे उतरते-उतरते ही उनकी गदाको भी गिरा दिया। वह एक अद्भुत-सी घटना हुई

Sanjaya said: “O Bharata, Drona swiftly struck him with sharp arrows and made his weapon fall even as he had not yet fully descended from the chariot. It appeared almost wondrous—an astonishing display of martial mastery in the midst of the battle.”

Verse 30

ततः स विपुलं चर्म शतचन्द्रं च भानुमत्‌ । खडूगं च विपुलं दिव्यं प्रगृह्ा सुभुजो बली,तब सुन्दर बाँहोंवाले बलवान वीर धृष्टद्युम्नने चन्द्राकार सौ फुल्लियोंसे सुशोभित तेजस्वी और विस्तृत ढाल तथा दिव्य एवं विशाल खड्ग हाथमें लेकर द्रोणका वध करनेकी इच्छासे उनके ऊपर वेगपूर्वक आक्रमण किया। ठीक उसी तरह, जैसे मांस चाहनेवाला सिंह वनमें किसी मतवाले हाथीपर धावा करता है

Sañjaya said: Then the mighty, strong-armed warrior seized a broad shield, radiant and adorned with a hundred moon-like bosses, and also a large, divine sword. Intent on slaying Droṇa, he rushed upon him with great speed—like a lion, craving flesh, charging in the forest at a rut-maddened elephant. The verse frames the assault as a fierce, purposeful act within the brutal ethics of battlefield duty, where resolve and martial intent drive the combatants toward decisive, fated encounters.

Verse 31

अभिद॒द्राव वेगेन द्रोणस्प वधकाड्क्षया । आमिषार्थी यथा सिंहो वने मत्तमिव द्विपम्‌,तब सुन्दर बाँहोंवाले बलवान वीर धृष्टद्युम्नने चन्द्राकार सौ फुल्लियोंसे सुशोभित तेजस्वी और विस्तृत ढाल तथा दिव्य एवं विशाल खड्ग हाथमें लेकर द्रोणका वध करनेकी इच्छासे उनके ऊपर वेगपूर्वक आक्रमण किया। ठीक उसी तरह, जैसे मांस चाहनेवाला सिंह वनमें किसी मतवाले हाथीपर धावा करता है

Sañjaya said: With swift force, Dhr̥ṣṭadyumna charged at Droṇa, intent on killing him—like a flesh-seeking lion in the forest rushing upon a maddened elephant. The verse frames the assault as a deliberate, single-minded act within the brutal ethics of battlefield duty, where personal resolve and strategic necessity drive violent confrontation.

Verse 32

तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम भारद्वाजस्य पौरुषम्‌ । लाघवं चास्त्रयोगं च बल॑ बाह्दोश्न भारत,भारत! उस समय हमने वहाँ द्रोणाचार्यका अद्भुत हस्तलाघव, अस्त्र-प्रयोग, बाहुबल तथा पुरुषार्थ देखा

Sañjaya said: There we beheld the wondrous prowess of the son of Bhāradvāja—his swift mastery of hand and weapon, his disciplined application of missiles, and the sheer strength of his arms, O Bhārata. In the midst of war, the report highlights how trained skill and personal valor can decisively shape the field, even as such power raises the ethical weight of how it is used.

Verse 33

यदेनं शरवर्षेण वारयामास पार्षतम्‌ | न शशाक ततो गन्तुं बलवानपि संयुगे,उन्होंने अपने बाणोंकी वर्षासे द्रुपदकुमार धृष्टद्युम्मको सहसा आगे बढ़नेसे रोक दिया। अतः वे बलवान होनेपर भी युद्धमें द्रोणाचार्यके पासतक न पहुँच सके

Sañjaya said: When he checked Pārṣata (Dhṛṣṭadyumna) with a shower of arrows, Dhṛṣṭadyumna could not advance from there. Thus, though powerful, he was unable in the press of battle to reach Droṇācārya. The passage underscores how disciplined martial skill and tactical restraint can halt even a strong opponent, shaping the moral texture of war where prowess, not mere intent, governs outcomes.

Verse 34

निवारितस्तु द्रोणेन धृष्टद्युम्नो महारथ: । न्यवारयच्छरौघांस्तां श्वर्मणा कृतहस्तवत्‌,द्रोणाचार्यसे रोके गये महारथी धृष्टद्युम्न सिद्धहस्त वीर पुरुषकी भाँति अपनी ढालसे ही उनके बाण-समूहोंका निवारण करने लगे

Sañjaya said: Checked by Droṇa, the great chariot-warrior Dhṛṣṭadyumna, steady and practiced in arms, began to ward off those dense volleys of arrows with his shield alone—like a seasoned fighter whose skill does not falter even under a master’s assault.

Verse 35

ततो भीमो महाबाहु: सहसाभ्यपतद्‌ बली । साहाय्यकारी समरे पार्षतस्य महात्मन:,तब बलवान वीर महाबाहु भीम सहसा समरमें महामना धृष्टद्युम्मनकी सहायता करनेके लिये आ पहुँचे

Sañjaya said: Then Bhīma, the mighty and long-armed hero, rushed forward at once. In the thick of battle he came as a helper and protector to the great-souled son of Pṛṣata (Dhṛṣṭadyumna), embodying the warrior’s duty of standing by an ally in crisis.

Verse 36

स द्रोणं निशितैर्बाणै राजन्‌ विव्याध सप्तभि: । पार्षत॑ च रथं तूर्ण स्वकमारोहयत्‌ तदा,राजन! उन्होंने सात पैने बाणोंद्वारा द्रोणाचार्यको घायल कर दिया और ट्रुपदकुमार धृष्टद्युम्नको तुरंत ही अपने रथपर चढ़ा लिया

Sañjaya said: O King, he pierced Droṇa with seven sharp arrows. Then, without delay, he lifted Pārṣata (Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the son of Drupada) onto his own chariot—an urgent act of protection and tactical support amid the press of battle.

Verse 37

ततो दुर्योधनो राजन्‌ भानुमन्तमचोदयत्‌ । सैन्येन महता युक्त भारद्वाजस्य रक्षणे,महाराज! तब दुर्योधनने विशाल सेनासे युक्त भानुमानको द्रोणाचार्यकी रक्षाके कार्यमें नियुक्त किया

Sañjaya said: Then, O King, Duryodhana urged Bhānumān—supported by a great host of troops—to take up the task of guarding the Bhāradvāja (Droṇa). In the press of war, Duryodhana’s strategy is to secure his chief commander, revealing how the protection of a leader becomes a decisive ethical and tactical priority amid the violence of battle.

Verse 38

ततः सा महती सेना कलिड्वानां जनेश्वर । भीममभ्युद्ययौ तूर्ण तव पुत्रस्य शासनात्‌,जनेश्वर! उस समय आपके पुत्रकी आज्ञासे कलिंगदेशीय वीरोंकी वह विशाल सेना तुरंत ही भीमसेनके सम्मुख आ पहुँची

Sañjaya said: Then, O lord of men, that vast host of the Kaliṅga warriors swiftly advanced to confront Bhīma, acting under the command of your son. The scene underscores how royal orders drive the movements of entire armies, binding many to the consequences of a single ruler’s will in the moral turbulence of war.

Verse 39

पाज्चाल्यमथ संत्यज्य द्रोणो5पि रथिनां वर: । विराटद्रुपदौ वृद्धौ वारयामास संयुगे,तब रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ द्रोणाचार्य भी धृष्टद्युम्नको छोड़कर युद्धस्थलमें विराट और ट्रुपद इन दोनों वृद्ध नरेशोंको आगे बढ़नेसे रोकने लगे

Sañjaya said: Then Droṇa too—foremost among chariot-warriors—leaving aside the Pāñcāla prince (Dhṛṣṭadyumna), began to check in battle the two aged kings, Virāṭa and Drupada, preventing their advance. The scene underscores Droṇa’s tactical choice: rather than pursue a single rival, he restrains senior allies of the Pāṇḍavas, curbing their momentum on the field.

Verse 40

धृष्टद्युम्नो5पि समरे धर्मराजानम भ्ययात्‌ । ततः प्रववृते युद्ध तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम्‌,इधर धृष्टद्युम्म भी उस समरांगणमें धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरके पास चले गये। तत्पश्चात्‌ समरभूमिमें कलिंगदेशीय योद्धाओं और महामनस्वी भीमसेनका अत्यन्त भयंकर तथा रोमांचकारी युद्ध होने लगा। जो सम्पूर्ण जागत्‌का विनाश करनेवाला घोरस्वरूप एवं महान्‌ भयदायक था

Sañjaya said: Even Dhṛṣṭadyumna, in the midst of battle, advanced toward Dharmarāja (Yudhiṣṭhira). Thereupon a tumultuous, hair-raising combat broke out—terrible in its force—signaling the war’s escalating fury and the grave moral weight borne by those who fight under the banner of dharma.

Verse 41

कलिड्नां च समरे भीमस्य च महात्मन: । जगत: प्रक्षयकरं घोररूपं भयावहम्‌,इधर धृष्टद्युम्म भी उस समरांगणमें धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरके पास चले गये। तत्पश्चात्‌ समरभूमिमें कलिंगदेशीय योद्धाओं और महामनस्वी भीमसेनका अत्यन्त भयंकर तथा रोमांचकारी युद्ध होने लगा। जो सम्पूर्ण जागत्‌का विनाश करनेवाला घोरस्वरूप एवं महान्‌ भयदायक था

Sañjaya said: Then, on the battlefield, a dread encounter began between the Kalinga warriors and the great-souled Bhīma—terrible to behold, fear-inspiring, and as though capable of bringing ruin upon the whole world. The scene underscores how unchecked martial fury can appear apocalyptic, even when fought within the larger framework of a dharma-war.

Verse 52

इस प्रकार श्रीमह्या भारत भीष्मपर्वके अन्तर्गत भीष्मवधपर्वमें भीष्म और अजुनिका युद्धविषयक बावनवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ

Sañjaya said: Thus ends the fifty-second chapter of the Bhīṣma Parva of the Śrī Mahābhārata, within the section concerning the slaying of Bhīṣma, describing the battle between Bhīṣma and Arjuna. This closing colophon frames the episode as a decisive ethical turning-point in the war, where duty and strategy converge around the fall of a revered elder-warrior.

Verse 53

इति श्रीमहा भारते भीष्मपर्वणि भीष्मवधपर्वणि धृष्टट्युम्नद्रोणयुद्धे त्रिपड्चाशत्तमो5ध्याय:

Thus ends the fifty-third chapter in the Bhīṣma Parvan of the Śrī Mahābhārata, within the section concerning the slaying of Bhīṣma, describing the battle between Dhṛṣṭadyumna and Droṇa. The colophon marks a transition in the war narrative, underscoring the epic’s ethical tension: even the fall of revered elders and the clash of great teachers and warriors unfold under the inexorable demands of kṣatriya-duty and the tragic costs of dharma in wartime.

Verse 131

तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम धृष्टद्युम्नस्य पौरुषम्‌ । यदेक: समरे वीरस्तस्थौ गिरिरिवाचल:

Sanjaya said: There we witnessed something wondrous—the manly valor of Dhṛṣṭadyumna: how that hero, alone in the thick of battle, stood his ground like an unmoving mountain. The verse highlights steadfast courage and disciplined resolve amid the moral strain of war, where true prowess is shown not merely by striking, but by unwavering composure and duty-bound endurance.