Shloka 30
द्रोणविक्रमदर्शनम् / The Display of Droṇa’s Onslaught and the Debate on Pāṇḍava Regrouping
त॑ दहन्तमनीकानि क्रुद्धमग्निं यथा वनम् | दृष्टवा रुक्मरथं वीर॑ समकम्पन्त सूंजया:,जैसे प्रज्वलित अग्नि सारे वनको जला देती है, उसी प्रकार क्रोधमें भरकर शत्रुकी सेनाओंको दग्ध करते हुए सुवर्णमय रथवाले वीर द्रोणाचार्यको देखकर सूंजयवंशी क्षत्रिय काँपने लगे
taṁ dahantam anīkāni kruddham agniṁ yathā vanam | dṛṣṭvā rukma-rathaṁ vīraṁ samakampanta sūñjayāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing the heroic Droṇa—whose chariot shone like gold—burning through enemy battle-formations in wrath, like a blazing fire consuming a forest, the warriors of the Sṛñjaya line began to tremble. The verse underscores how uncontrolled fury in war can become a force of mass destruction, inspiring fear even among the brave.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the terrifying power of wrath when joined to martial skill: anger can turn a warrior into a force that indiscriminately consumes armies, like fire consuming a forest. Ethically, it cautions that such fury, even when effective, spreads fear and devastation beyond measured, dharmic restraint.
Sañjaya describes Droṇa advancing in battle, destroying opposing formations with ferocity. His golden chariot and overwhelming assault cause the Sṛñjaya warriors to quake with fear upon seeing him.