Shloka 24
Droṇa’s Resolve to Restrain Yudhiṣṭhira and Arjuna’s Protective Vow (द्रोणस्य युधिष्ठिरनिग्रह-प्रयत्नः)
स चाफक्रम्यतां युद्धाद् येनोपायेन शक््यते । अपनीते ततः पार्थे धर्मराजो जितस्त्वया,अतः जिस उपायसे भी सम्भव हो, तुम उन्हें युद्धसे दूर हटा दो। कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुनके रणक्षेत्रसे हट जानेपर समझ लो कि तुमने धर्मराजको जीत लिया
sa cāpakramyatāṁ yuddhād yenopāyena śakyate | apanīte tataḥ pārthe dharmarājo jitas tvayā ||
Droṇa said: “By whatever means it is possible, have him withdraw from the battle. Once Pārtha (Arjuna) has been led away from the field, know that you have thereby conquered Dharmarāja (Yudhiṣṭhira).” The ethical tension is explicit: victory is framed not merely as defeating an army, but as neutralizing the protector and moral center of the opposing side by separating him from the fight.
द्रोण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, victory may be pursued through strategic separation of key defenders rather than direct confrontation—raising an ethical question about ends and means, since “by whatever means” can imply morally ambiguous tactics.
Droṇa instructs his side to get Arjuna to withdraw from the battlefield by any feasible strategy; once Arjuna is removed, Droṇa claims Yudhiṣṭhira is effectively defeated, because Arjuna’s presence is crucial to protecting him and sustaining the Pāṇḍava position.