Shloka 34

Devanagari script

ततो द्रोणो5जयद्‌ युद्धे चेदिकेकेयसृञ्जयान्‌

Transliteration

tato droṇo 'jayad yuddhe cedikekayasṛñjayān

Translation

Sañjaya said: Then Droṇa prevailed in the battle, overcoming the Cedis, the Kekayas, and the Sṛñjayas—an episode that underscores how martial prowess and disciplined command can decisively turn the tide amid the moral chaos of war.

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद्
• Form: Avyaya (ablatival adverb: 'from that/then')

• द्रोणः: Drona
• द्रोणः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रोण
• Form: Masculine, nominative, singular

• अजयत्: conquered/defeated
• Type: Verb
• Root: जि
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), parasmaipada, 3rd person, singular

• युद्धे: in battle
• युद्धे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: युद्ध
• Form: Neuter, locative, singular

• चेदि-केकय-सृञ्जयान्: the Cedis, Kekayas, and Srinjayas
• चेदि-केकय-सृञ्जयान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: चेदि + केकय + सृञ्जय
• Form: Masculine, accusative, plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Droṇa
• Cedis
• Kekayas
• Sṛñjayas

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the decisive power of trained skill and command in war, while implicitly reminding the listener that even such victories occur within a larger ethical crisis where dharma is strained by violence and shifting alliances.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Droṇa, fighting as a leading Kaurava commander, defeats contingents identified as the Cedis, Kekayas, and Sṛñjayas on the battlefield.