Shloka 24
Saubhadra under Concentrated Assault; Pārṣata’s Intervention and Escalation
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
amarṣitas tato rājan parākramya camūmukhe | droṇo drupadaputrasya punaś ciccheda kārmukam ||
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.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger and wounded pride (amarṣa) can intensify action in war, leading to repeated cycles of retaliation. Ethically, it points to the tension between disciplined duty and passion-driven escalation—martial excellence is shown, yet the emotional fuel behind it deepens the conflict.
On the battlefield’s front line, Drona—provoked and indignant—presses forward and again severs the bow of Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the son of Drupada, demonstrating tactical superiority and renewing pressure on his opponent.