Shloka 162
पाण्डुनन्दन युधिष्ठिर अपने रथकी भारी घर्घराहटसे भूतलको उसी प्रकार प्रतिध्वनित कर रहे थे, जैसे वर्षाकालमें गर्जना करता हुआ मेघ दसों दिशाओंको गुँजा देता है। उन्होंने शत्रुओंका संहार करनेवाले भीमसेनके पार्श्चभागकी रक्षाका भार ले लिया। उधर द्रोणाचार्य भी रात्रिके समय पाण्डव तथा पांचाल सैनिकोंका संहार करने लगे ।। इति श्रीमहाभारते द्रोणपर्वणि घटोत्कचवधपर्वणि रात्रियुद्धे द्विषष्ट्यधिकशततमो<ध्याय:
Pāṇḍunandana Yudhiṣṭhiraḥ sva-rathasya bhārī-ghargharāhaṭena bhūtalaṃ tathā pratidhvanayām āsa, yathā varṣākāle garjan meghaḥ daśa diśo guñjayati. Sa śatru-saṃhārake Bhīmasenasya pārśva-pṛṣṭha-bhāgasya rakṣā-bhāraṃ jagrāha. Atha D्रोṇācāryo ’pi rātri-samaye Pāṇḍava-Pāñcāla-sainyānāṃ saṃhāraṃ kartum ārabdhaḥ.
Sañjaya said: Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Pāṇḍu, made the earth resound with the heavy rumble of his chariot, like a thundercloud in the rainy season that fills all ten directions with its roar. He took upon himself the responsibility of guarding the rear and flank of Bhīmasena, that destroyer of enemies. Meanwhile, Droṇācārya too, in the darkness of night, began to slaughter the forces of the Pāṇḍavas and the Pāñcālas. The scene underscores how, in night-battle, protection of comrades and ruthless tactical violence proceed side by side, testing the boundaries of kṣatriya duty and the ethics of warfare.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid chaotic and ethically fraught conditions like a night-battle, dharma expresses itself as responsibility: Yudhiṣṭhira prioritizes the protection of an ally (guarding Bhīma’s vulnerable rear), while the narrative simultaneously exposes how war can drive leaders like Droṇa toward relentless destruction—inviting reflection on the limits of righteous conduct in extreme circumstances.
Sañjaya describes Yudhiṣṭhira’s chariot thundering like a monsoon cloud, signaling force and resolve. Yudhiṣṭhira takes up a protective position to secure Bhīma’s flank and rear. At the same time, Droṇācārya launches night-time attacks, killing Pāṇḍava and Pāñcāla troops during the ongoing night engagement.