Shloka 1
ऑऔपन--#रू< बक। ] अि्शशाड<म चतुर्दशो 5 ध्याय: द्रोणका पराक्रम, कौरव-पाण्डववीरोंका दन्डयुद्ध, रणनदीका वर्णन तथा अभिमन्युकी वीरता संजय उवाच ततः स पाण्डवानीके जनयन् सुमहद् भयम् | व्यचरत् पृतनां द्रोणो दहन् कक्षमिवानल:,संजय कहते हैं--राजन्! जैसे आग घास-फ़ूसके समूहको जला देती है, उसी प्रकार द्रोणाचार्य पाण्डव-दलमें महान् भय उत्पन्न करते और सारी सेनाको चलाते हुए सब ओर विचरने लगे
sañjaya uvāca | tataḥ sa pāṇḍavānīke janayan sumahad bhayam | vyacarat pṛtanāṃ droṇo dahan kakṣam ivānalaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then Droṇa, moving through the Pandava host, stirred up tremendous fear. Roaming across the army, he blazed through their ranks like a fire consuming a thicket—an image of war’s destructive momentum when martial prowess is unleashed without restraint.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how unchecked martial force can rapidly spread fear and devastation, like fire in dry brush. Ethically, it invites reflection on the responsibility that accompanies power in war: prowess may fulfill a warrior’s role, yet its consequences on lives and morale are sweeping and hard to contain.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Droṇa is ranging through the Pandava formation, terrifying their troops and striking through the battlefield with overwhelming effectiveness, compared to a fire consuming a thicket.