Shloka 21
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya-saṃvādaḥ; madhyāhna-saṅgrāma-pravṛttiḥ
Dhritarashtra–Sanjaya dialogue and the midday battle escalation
भारद्वाजस्तत: क्रुद्ध/ शरमाशीविषोपमम् | चिक्षेप समरे तूर्ण शड़ प्रति जनेश्वर,जनेश्वर! तब द्रोणाचार्यने कुपित होकर युद्धभूमिमें विषधर सर्पके समान एक भयंकर बाण शंखपर शीघ्रतापूर्वक चलाया
sañjaya uvāca | bhāradvājas tataḥ kruddhaḥ śaram āśīviṣopamam | cikṣepa samare tūrṇaṃ śaṅkhaṃ prati janeśvara ||
Sañjaya said: Then Bhāradvāja’s son (Droṇa), angered, swiftly hurled in battle a dreadful arrow—like a venomous serpent—aimed at Śaṅkha, O lord of men. The scene underscores how wrath on the battlefield sharpens intent and escalates violence, drawing warriors into ever more perilous exchanges.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger (krodha) becomes a catalyst for intensified harm: once wrath takes hold, actions turn swift and deadly, symbolized by the ‘venomous serpent’ arrow. Ethically, it cautions that inner passions can drive outward violence, especially in war.
Sañjaya reports that Droṇa, enraged, quickly launches a fearsome arrow—likened to a poisonous snake—directed at the warrior Śaṅkha during the battle, while addressing Dhṛtarāṣṭra as ‘lord of men’.