Shloka 19

Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 125: Duryodhana’s despair and vow after Jayadratha’s fall (जयद्रथवधे दुर्योधनविलापः)

Devanagari script

ततस्ते पर्यवर्तन्त सर्वे द्रोणरथं प्रति

Transliteration

tataste paryavartanta sarve droṇarathaṃ prati

Translation

Sañjaya said: Thereupon, all of them turned back and wheeled around toward Droṇa’s chariot—an immediate tactical shift in the battle, showing how the warriors’ movements were drawn by the presence and threat of the preceptor-commander at the center of the conflict.

Word by Word

• ततः: then; thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (तद्-प्रातिपदिकात् अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (ablatival adverb: 'from that/thereupon')

• ते: they
• ते: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, nominative, plural

• पर्यवर्तन्त: turned/returned; wheeled about
• पर्यवर्तन्त: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृत् (परि + आ + √वृत्)
• Form: Imperfect (Laṅ), 3rd person, plural, Parasmaipada

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व
• Form: Masculine, nominative, plural

• द्रोण-रथम्: Drona's chariot
• द्रोण-रथम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रोण + रथ
• Form: Masculine, accusative, singular

• प्रति: towards; against
• प्रति: Karma
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रति
• Form: Avyaya (preposition/adverb governing accusative)

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Droṇa
• Droṇa’s chariot

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how, in war, collective action often pivots around a central authority or formidable figure; ethically, it underscores the tension between personal resolve and the pull of command, fear, or duty when a powerful leader (here, Droṇa) becomes the focal point.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that the warriors collectively change direction and move toward Droṇa’s chariot, indicating a regrouping or renewed engagement centered on Droṇa’s position in the battle.