Shloka 32
द्रोणविक्रमदर्शनम् / The Display of Droṇa’s Onslaught and the Debate on Pāṇḍava Regrouping
नागानश्वान् पदातींक्ष रथिनो गजसादिन: । रौद्रा हस्तवता मुक्ता: प्रमथ्नन्ति सम सायका:,शीघ्रतापूर्वक हाथ चलानेवाले द्रोणाचार्यके छोड़े हुए भयंकर सायक हाथियों, घोड़ों, पैदलों, रथियों और गजारोहियोंको मथे डालते थे
sañjaya uvāca |
nāgān aśvān padātīṃś ca rathino gajasādinaḥ |
raudrā hastavatā muktāḥ pramathnanti sma sāyakāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: The dreadful arrows, released by Droṇācārya with swift, masterful movements of the hand, were crushing and churning up the ranks—elephants, horses, foot-soldiers, chariot-warriors, and elephant-riders alike. The scene underscores how, in the fury of battle, sheer martial skill can become an impersonal force that overwhelms all distinctions of arm and station.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the morally sobering reality of war: exceptional prowess, when applied in battle, becomes a sweeping force that can devastate every class of combatant. It implicitly invites reflection on the cost of kṣatriya-duty when expressed through relentless violence.
Sañjaya describes Droṇācārya’s rapid, skillful archery. His fierce arrows are striking and breaking up the opposing formations, cutting down elephants, horses, infantry, chariot-fighters, and elephant-mounted warriors.