Shloka 12
द्रोणविक्रमदर्शनम् / The Display of Droṇa’s Onslaught and the Debate on Pāṇḍava Regrouping
दृष्टवा सत्यजिता द्रोणं ग्रस्यमानमिवाहवे । वृक: शरशतैस्तीक3्ष्णै: पाज्चाल्यो द्रोणमार्दयत्,उस युद्धस्थलमें द्रोणाचार्यको सत्यजितके बाणोंका ग्रास बनते देख पांचालवीर वृकने भी सैकड़ों पैने बाण मारकर द्रोणाचार्यको अत्यन्त पीड़ित कर दिया
dṛṣṭvā satyajitaṃ droṇaṃ grasyamānam ivāhave | vṛkaḥ śaraśatais tīkṣṇaiḥ pāñcālyo droṇam ārdayat ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing Droṇa on the battlefield as though being swallowed up by Satyajit’s arrows, the Pāñcāla warrior Vṛka too assailed Droṇa with hundreds of keen shafts, causing the teacher severe distress. The scene underscores how, in the fury of war, even the revered preceptor becomes a target when duty to one’s side and the momentum of combat override personal reverence.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical strain of war: even a revered teacher like Droṇa is treated as an enemy combatant when one’s kṣatriya-duty and allegiance demand action. Reverence does not automatically suspend the harsh necessities and consequences of battle.
Sañjaya reports that Droṇa is being overwhelmed by Satyajit’s arrows; witnessing this, the Pāñcāla warrior Vṛka joins in and strikes Droṇa with hundreds of sharp arrows, intensifying Droṇa’s suffering on the battlefield.