Shloka 34
द्रोणेन केकय-चेदि-वीरवधः
Droṇa’s engagements with the Kekayas and Cedis
भ्रान्तं चैनं समालक्ष्य ज्ञात्वा दूरे च सैन्धवम् । सिंहनादेन महता सर्वत: पर्यवारयन्,अर्जुनको थका हुआ देख और सिन्धुराज जयद्रथको उनसे बहुत दूर जानकर आपके सैनिकोंने महान् सिंहनाद करते हुए उन्हें सब ओरसे घेर लिया
bhrāntaṃ cainaṃ samālakṣya jñātvā dūre ca saindhavam | siṃhanādena mahatā sarvataḥ paryavārayan ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing Arjuna exhausted and disoriented, and knowing that the Sindhu king Jayadratha was still far away from him, your warriors raised a great lion-roar and surrounded Arjuna on all sides—seeking to isolate him in battle and protect Jayadratha by force.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how perception and timing in war shape ethical pressure: noticing an opponent’s momentary weakness, warriors may choose tactics like encirclement to protect a key ally (Jayadratha). It reflects the tension between kṣatriya valor (direct combat) and strategic necessity (collective containment), a recurring Mahābhārata theme in judging dharma amid battlefield exigencies.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava troops, seeing Arjuna fatigued and realizing Jayadratha is still at a distance from him, shout a loud battle-cry and close in around Arjuna from every side, aiming to block his advance and keep Jayadratha out of Arjuna’s reach.