Shloka 323
ततो<अस्त्रै: परमैर्दिव्यैद्रोण: पार्थमवाकिरत् । जब पाण्डुकुमार अर्जुन आचार्यके सभी अस्त्रोंको अपने अस्त्रोंद्वारा विधिपूर्वक नष्ट करने लगे, तब द्रोणने परम दिव्य अस्त्रोंद्वारा अर्जुनको ढक दिया
tato 'straiḥ paramair divyair droṇaḥ pārtham avākirat |
Sañjaya said: Thereupon Droṇa, resorting to his supreme, celestial missiles, showered them upon Pārtha (Arjuna), overwhelming him. As Arjuna, the son of Pāṇḍu, began to duly counter and neutralize the teacher’s weapons with his own, Droṇa intensified the assault with higher divine astras—an escalation that highlights both the ferocity of war and the grave tension when a guru and disciple meet as enemies on the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how dharma in war can become morally strained when personal bonds (guru and disciple) are forced into opposition; even rightful skill and restraint can provoke escalation, reminding readers that power must be governed by discernment and responsibility.
Arjuna is successfully countering Droṇa’s weapons in proper martial fashion; in response, Droṇa escalates by unleashing superior divine astras, effectively covering Arjuna with a concentrated barrage.