Shloka 23
अस्त्राणीन्द्राच्च रुद्राच्च भूय: स समवाप्तवान् | अमर्षितश्न ते राज॑स्ततो नामर्षयाम्यहम्,इसमें संदेह नहीं कि अर्जुन मेरा शिष्य है और उसने पहले मुझसे ही अस्त्रविद्या सीखी है, तथापि वह तरुण है। अनेक प्रकारके पुण्य कर्मोंसे युक्त है। विजय अथवा मृत्यु--इन दोनोंमेंसे एकका वरण करनेका दृढ़ निश्चय कर चुका है। इन्द्र और रुद्र आदि देवताओंसे पुनः बहुत-से दिव्यास्त्रोंकी शिक्षा पा चुका है और तुम्हारे प्रति उसका अमर्ष बढ़ा हुआ है। इसलिये राजन! मैं अर्जुनसे लड़नेका उत्साह नहीं रखता हूँ
astrāṇīndrācca rudrācca bhūyaḥ sa samavāptavān | amarṣitaś ca te rājan tato nāmarṣayāmy aham ||
Droṇa said: “He has again obtained many weapons from Indra and from Rudra. O King, he is inflamed with resentment toward you; therefore I do not accept this situation with patience, nor do I feel eagerness to engage Arjuna in battle.”
द्रोण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how power gained through divine support (new astras from Indra and Rudra) and intense personal emotion (amarṣa—resentment) can reshape the ethical and strategic landscape of war. It also underscores the moral tension for a teacher facing a former student whose prowess has grown beyond ordinary limits.
Droṇa reports to the king that Arjuna has acquired additional celestial weapons from major deities and is fiercely resentful toward the Kaurava side. Because of Arjuna’s enhanced capability and emotional resolve, Droṇa expresses that he cannot remain indifferent and does not feel confident enthusiasm to confront Arjuna directly.