Shloka 20
Droṇa’s Withdrawal, Death, and the Kaurava Rout (द्रोणनिधन-प्रसङ्गः)
राजेन्द्र! सारी सेनामें प्रकाश फैल जानेपर अग्निके समान प्रतापी द्रोणाचार्य सुवर्णमय कवच धारण करके दोपहरके सूर्यकी भाँति सब ओर देदीप्यमान होने लगे ।। जाम्बूनदेष्वाभरणेषु चैव निष्केषु शुद्धेषु शरासनेषु । पीतेषु शस्त्रेषु च पावकस्य प्रतिप्रभास्तत्र तदा बभूवु:,उस समय सोनेके आभूषणों, शुद्ध निष्कों, धनुषों तथा चमकीले शणस्त्रोंमें वहाँ उन मशालोंकी आगगके प्रतिबिम्ब पड़ रहे थे
sañjaya uvāca |
rājendra! sārī senāyāṃ prakāśaṃ phaila jāne para agni-ke samāna pratāpī droṇācārya suvarṇamaya kavaca dhāraṇa karke dopahara-ke sūrya-kī bhānti saba ora dedīpyamāna hone lage ||
jāmbūnadeṣv ābharaṇeṣu caiva niṣkeṣu śuddheṣu śarāsaneṣu |
pīteṣu śastreṣu ca pāvakasya pratiprabhās tatra tadā babhūvuḥ ||
Sañjaya said: O king, when a blaze of light spread through the whole army, Droṇācārya—fierce in splendour like fire—put on his golden armour and began to shine in every direction like the midday sun. At that moment, in the Jāmbūnada-gold ornaments, in the spotless neck-plates, in the bows, and in the gleaming weapons, the firelight appeared again as reflected radiance—so that the battlefield itself seemed filled with blazing echoes of flame. The passage underscores how martial brilliance can intoxicate the scene with splendour even as it serves the grim work of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward splendour—armour, gold, and blazing radiance—can dominate perception in war, creating awe and momentum; ethically, it reminds the listener that dazzling martial power is still in service of destructive action, and that brilliance does not by itself confer righteousness.
Sañjaya describes Droṇa preparing and appearing on the battlefield: he dons golden armour and shines like fire or the midday sun, while the surrounding ornaments, bows, and weapons catch and reflect the firelight, making the entire scene glitter with reflected flames.