Shloka 17
Nārāyaṇāstra-utpātaḥ — Aśvatthāman’s Rallying Roar after Droṇa’s Fall (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६७)
महाराज! कौरव-सेनापर धावा करते हुए योद्धाओंमें श्रेष्ठ महारथी अर्जुनको राक्षसराज अलम्बुषने रोका ।। तथा द्रोणं महेष्वासं निध्नन्तं शात्रवान् रणे | धृष्टद्युम्नो5थ पाज्चाल्यो हृष्टरूपमवारयत्
sañjaya uvāca |
mahārāja! kaurava-senāpar dhāvā karate hue yoddhāoṃ meṃ śreṣṭha mahārathī arjunako rākṣasarāja alambuṣane rokā ||
tathā droṇaṃ maheṣvāsaṃ nighnantaṃ śatravān raṇe |
dhṛṣṭadyumno ’tha pāñcālyo hṛṣṭarūpam avārayat ||
Sanjaya said: O King, as the foremost warriors charged upon the Kaurava host, the great chariot-warrior Arjuna was checked by Alambusha, the king of the Rakshasas. Likewise, in the thick of battle, Dhrishtadyumna of Panchala, radiant with fierce resolve, confronted and restrained the mighty archer Drona as he struck down his foes. The scene underscores how, amid the chaos of war, key champions are deliberately engaged to prevent slaughter and to turn the tide—valor and strategy entwined with the grave moral weight of kin-slaying and duty-bound combat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a righteous war framed by dharma, outcomes hinge on disciplined restraint and targeted engagement: key warriors are checked by worthy opponents to limit devastation and to uphold strategic responsibility. Valor is not mere fury; it is directed action under duty.
As warriors surge against the Kaurava host, Arjuna is intercepted by the Rakshasa king Alambusha. At the same time, Dhrishtadyumna of Panchala moves to stop Drona, who is cutting down enemies in battle, thereby forcing a direct contest between principal champions.