Shloka 8
अभिमन्यु–अलम्बुसयुद्धम् / The Duel of Abhimanyu and Alambusa
with Arjuna’s approach to Bhīṣma
सम्प्रेक्ष्यैतान् सम्पतत: संक्रुद्धाउ्जातसम्भ्रमान्,संशयं परम॑ प्राप्त मज्जन्तं व्यसनार्णवे । क्रोधमें भरे हुए इन समस्त योद्धाओंको वेगपूर्वक धावा करते देख द्रोणाचार्यने आपके महारथियोंसे कहा--“वीरो! तुम्हारा कल्याण हो। शीघ्र जाओ और संकटके समुद्रमें डूबकर महान् प्राणसंशयमें पड़े हुए राजा दुर्योधनकी रक्षा करो
saṃprekṣyaitān sampatataḥ saṃkruddhān jātasambhramān | saṃśayaṃ paramaṃ prāptaṃ majjantaṃ vyasanārṇave ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing those warriors rushing forward in fury and tumult, and perceiving King Duryodhana sinking into an ocean of calamity, having fallen into extreme peril of life, Droṇācārya addressed your great chariot-fighters: “Heroes, may you be safe. Go quickly and protect King Duryodhana, who is overwhelmed by crisis and caught in a grave doubt of survival.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the midst of war, the verse highlights the ethical weight of leadership and duty: commanders must read the battlefield, recognize imminent danger to those responsible for the polity (the king), and act decisively to prevent collapse. It also shows how loyalty and protection of one’s charge become urgent obligations when crisis peaks.
Sañjaya reports that Droṇa sees warriors charging in anger and confusion, while Duryodhana appears to be sinking into severe danger—an ‘ocean of calamity.’ Droṇa then urges the Kaurava elite chariot-fighters to hurry and rescue/protect Duryodhana from this life-threatening संकट.