Shloka 46
द्रोणविक्रमदर्शनम् / The Display of Droṇa’s Onslaught and the Debate on Pāṇḍava Regrouping
त॑ दहन्तमनीकानि रथोदारं कृतान्तवत् । सर्वतो<भ्यद्रवन् द्रोणं कुन्तीपुत्रपुरोगमा:,समस्त सेनाओंको दग्ध करनेवाले यमराजके समान भयंकर उदार महारथी द्रोणाचार्यपर कुन्तीपुत्र युधिष्ठिर आदि सब वीर सब ओरसे टूट पड़े
taṁ dahantam anīkāni rathodāraṁ kṛtāntavat | sarvato 'bhyadravan droṇaṁ kuntīputrapurogamāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: As Droṇa—noble in his chariot-war and dreadful like Kṛtānta (Death)—burned through the battle-formations, the sons of Kuntī, led by Yudhiṣṭhira, rushed upon him from every side. The scene underscores the grim ethic of war: even revered elders become targets when the survival of the host and the demands of kṣatriya-duty compel direct confrontation.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh dharma of battlefield life: when a warrior becomes a death-like force threatening the whole host, even revered teachers must be confronted. Duty to protect one’s side and uphold kṣatriya responsibility can override personal reverence, revealing the tragic moral tension of war.
Droṇa is depicted as devastating the opposing formations like Yama himself. In response, the Pāṇḍavas—led by Yudhiṣṭhira—charge him from all directions, attempting to check his overwhelming advance.