Shloka 19

Devanagari script

अवस्थां तादशीं प्राप्य हते द्रोणे द्रुतं बलम्‌

Transliteration

avasthāṃ tādaśīṃ prāpya hate droṇe drutaṃ balam

Translation

Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Having reached such a condition—when Droṇa has been slain—the army has swiftly (fallen into disorder / lost its steadiness).”

Word by Word

• अवस्थाम्: state, condition
• अवस्थाम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवस्था
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• तादशीम्: such, of that kind
• तादशीम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तादृश
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• प्राप्य: having attained, having reached
• प्राप्य: Karma
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + आप्
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral for gerund), Non-finite

• हते: when (he was) slain; upon being slain
• हते: Adhikarana
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन्
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), Masculine, Locative, Singular

• द्रोणे: in/when Drona
• द्रोणे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रोण
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• द्रुतम्: quickly, swiftly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: द्रुत
• Form: adverb

• बलम्: the army/force
• बलम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

युधिछिर उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Droṇa
• bala (the army/force)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how the fall of a central moral and strategic pillar (Droṇa) can rapidly destabilize an entire system. In ethical terms, it points to the cascading consequences of pivotal actions in war—especially when victory is entangled with moral compromise—leading not to calm resolution but to swift disorder and further suffering.

What is happening in the narrative?

After Droṇa’s death, Yudhiṣṭhira observes the immediate impact on the battlefield: the opposing force (and the overall war-situation) changes abruptly. The statement captures the sudden shift in morale, cohesion, and command once Droṇa is slain.