Shloka 13
द्रोणविक्रमदर्शनम् / The Display of Droṇa’s Onslaught and the Debate on Pāṇḍava Regrouping
संछाद्यमानं समरे द्रोणं दृष्टया महारथम् । चुक्ुशु: पाण्डवा राजन् वस्त्राणि दुधुवुश्च ह,राजन! महारथी द्रोणाचार्यको समरभूमिमें बाणोंद्वारा आच्छादित होते देख समस्त पाण्डव-सैनिक गर्जने और वस्त्र हिलाने लगे
sañchādyamānaṃ samare droṇaṃ dṛṣṭvā mahāratham | cukruśuḥ pāṇḍavā rājan vastrāṇi dudhuvuś ca ha ||
Sañjaya said: O King, seeing the great chariot-warrior Droṇa in the thick of battle being covered over by showers of arrows, the Pāṇḍava forces cried out loudly and waved their garments in exultation—taking it as a sign that even the foremost teacher-warrior could be pressed back by collective valor.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights battlefield psychology: collective courage and visible success against a formidable opponent can lift an army’s morale. Ethically, it reflects kṣatriya-dharma in war—valor, endurance, and the communal spirit of soldiers responding to shifts in advantage.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Droṇa, a supreme warrior, is seen being overwhelmed by volleys of arrows. Interpreting this as a favorable moment, the Pāṇḍava troops shout loudly and wave their garments in excitement and encouragement.