Shloka 16
द्रोणविक्रमदर्शनम् / The Display of Droṇa’s Onslaught and the Debate on Pāṇḍava Regrouping
ततः सत्यजितक्चापं छित्त्वा द्रोणो वृकस्य च । षड्भि: ससूतं सहयं शरैद्रोणो5वधीद् वृकम्,आचार्य द्रोणने सत्यजित् और वृक दोनोंके धनुष काटकर छ: बाणोंद्वारा उन्होंने सारथि और घोड़ोंसहित वृकको मार डाला
tataḥ satyajitaś cāpaṃ chittvā droṇo vṛkasya ca | ṣaḍbhiḥ sasūtaṃ sahayaṃ śarair droṇo ’vadhīd vṛkam ||
Sañjaya said: Then Droṇa cut down the bows of both Satyajit and Vṛka. With six arrows he slew Vṛka together with his charioteer and horses—an episode that underscores how, in the ruthless momentum of battle, mastery in arms can swiftly decide life and death, even when the fallen are supported by their full war-gear and attendants.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the stark ethics of battlefield duty (kṣatriya-dharma): in war, strategic superiority and precision can end a combatant’s life instantly, and the narrative invites reflection on the heavy moral weight of such decisive violence.
Droṇa first disables the opponents by cutting their bows; then he kills Vṛka with six arrows, and Vṛka falls along with his charioteer and horses—indicating a complete destruction of the chariot-unit.