Shloka 23
द्रोणनिन्दाश्रवणं तथा सात्यकि–पार्षतविवादः
Hearing the reproach of Droṇa and the Sātyaki–Pārṣata dispute
फिर वे महारथी सहदेव बड़ी उतावलीके साथ महामना पांचालराजकुमार जनमेजयके रथपर आरूढ़ हो गये ।। विराट सहसेन तु द्रोणं वै द्रतमागतम् । मद्रराज: शरौघेण च्छादयामास धन्विनम्,द्रोणाचार्यपर वेगपूर्वक आक्रमण करनेवाले सेनासहित धनुर्धर राजा विराटको मद्रराज शल्यने अपने बाणसमूहोंसे आच्छादित कर दिया
virāṭaḥ sahasena tu droṇaṃ vai drutam āgatam | madrarājaḥ śaraughena cchādayāmāsa dhanvinam ||
Sañjaya said: Virāṭa, accompanied by his troops, rushed swiftly toward Droṇa. But Śalya, the king of Madra, covered that bowman Virāṭa with a dense shower of arrows—checking his impetuous advance in the fierce discipline of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in practice: courage and swift initiative are essential, yet warfare also demands restraint through counter-force and tactical response. Valor is not merely charging forward; it is tested and shaped by disciplined opposition.
Virāṭa advances rapidly toward Droṇa with his forces. Śalya intervenes by unleashing a thick volley of arrows, effectively blanketing Virāṭa and halting or blunting his momentum in the battle.