Shloka 263
नैनमाशंसिरे जेतुं दानवा वासवं यथा । जैसे दानव इन्द्रको नहीं जीत सकते, वैसे ही शत्रुसैनिक शत्रुसेनाको ललकारते हुए मदस्रावी गजराजके समान द्रोणाचार्यको जीतनेका साहस नहीं कर सके
nainam āśaṃsire jetuṃ dānavā vāsavaṃ yathā |
Sañjaya said: Just as the Dānavas could not hope to conquer Vāsava (Indra), so the hostile troops, though shouting their challenges, did not dare to imagine they could defeat Droṇācārya—who stood like a rut-maddened lord of elephants, overwhelming and unassailable. The verse underscores how sheer prowess and moral authority on the battlefield can break an enemy’s confidence even before weapons decide the outcome.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and psychological dimension of war: a warrior’s established might and stature can deter aggression, showing that victory is shaped not only by weapons but also by confidence, reputation, and the perceived righteousness or authority of a leader.
Sañjaya reports that the opposing soldiers, despite their loud challenges, could not even hope to defeat Droṇācārya. He is compared to Indra, whom the Dānavas cannot conquer—emphasizing Droṇa’s overwhelming dominance at this point in the battle.