प्रतिजग्राह समरे द्रोण: शस्त्रभृतां वर: । उन समस्त पाण्डव-सैनिकोंको पूरे उद्योगके साथ सहसा आक्रमण करते देख शस्त्रधारियोंमें श्रेष्ठ द्रोणाचार्यने समरभूमिमें आगे बढ़कर उनका सामना किया
pratijagrāha samare droṇaḥ śastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ |
Sañjaya said: In the thick of battle, Droṇa—foremost among weapon-bearers—advanced and firmly met the onrush of the Pāṇḍava forces, who were attacking all at once with full exertion. The moment underscores the grim ethic of kṣatriya warfare: even amid overwhelming assault, a commander is bound to stand his ground and answer force with disciplined resistance.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma and command responsibility: a leader trained in arms must not yield to sudden collective assault but must meet it with steadiness and disciplined action, even when the situation is perilous.
As the Pāṇḍava troops surge forward together with intense effort, Droṇa advances on the battlefield and confronts them directly, taking up their attack and standing as the principal resisting force.