Shloka 4
द्रोणपर्व — अध्याय 128: दुर्योधनस्य परसेनाप्रवेशः
Duryodhana’s Incursion and the Tumult of Battle
नापश्यच्छरणं किज्चिद् धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिर: । चिन्तयामास राजेन्द्र कथमेतद् भविष्यति,जब द्रोणाचार्य युद्धमें पराक्रम प्रकट करके बारंबार गर्जना कर रहे थे, पांचाल वीरोंका विनाश हो रहा था और पाण्डव-सैनिक मारे जा रहे थे, उस समय धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरको कोई भी अपना आश्रय या रक्षक नहीं दिखायी दिया। राजेन्द्र! वे सोचने लगे कि यह कैसे होगा?
sañjaya uvāca | nāpaśyaccharaṇaṃ kiñcid dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | cintayāmāsa rājendra katham etad bhaviṣyati ||
Sañjaya said: Dharmarāja Yudhiṣṭhira could see no refuge at all. O king, he began to ponder: “How will this turn out?”—for Droṇācārya was repeatedly roaring and displaying his prowess in battle, the Pāñcāla heroes were being destroyed, and the Pāṇḍava soldiers were falling.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a dharma-centered leader can face moments where no clear protection or solution is visible; the verse highlights the ethical burden of kingship in war—steadfastness and thoughtful deliberation are required when circumstances appear overwhelming.
As Droṇa dominates the battlefield—roaring, showing repeated valor, and causing heavy losses among the Pāñcālas and the Pāṇḍava forces—Yudhiṣṭhira feels bereft of any refuge and anxiously reflects on how the situation will unfold.