Shloka 58
द्रोणविक्रमदर्शनम् / The Display of Droṇa’s Onslaught and the Debate on Pāṇḍava Regrouping
ततो युधिष्छिर: क्षिप्रं गुरुतो राजसत्तम: । अपायाज्जवनैरश्वै: पाज्चाल्यो द्रोणमभ्ययात्,तब राजाओंमें श्रेष्ठ युधिष्ठिर गुरुक निकटसे तीव्रगामी अअश्रोंद्वारा शीघ्र ही दूर चले गये और पांचाल देशका एक राजकुमार द्रोणका सामना करनेके लिये आगे बढ़ आया
tato yudhiṣṭhiraḥ kṣipraṃ guruto rājasattamaḥ | apāyāj javanair aśvaiḥ pāñcālyo droṇam abhyayāt |
Sañjaya said: Then Yudhiṣṭhira, the best of kings, quickly withdrew from the vicinity of his teacher, speeding away on swift horses; and a prince of the Pāñcālas advanced to confront Droṇa. The scene underscores the moral strain of fighting one’s revered preceptor: Yudhiṣṭhira retreats from direct engagement, while another steps forward to meet Droṇa in battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between reverence for one’s teacher (guru-bhakti) and the harsh demands of kṣatriya warfare. Yudhiṣṭhira’s withdrawal suggests reluctance to engage the revered preceptor directly, while the battle’s necessity compels others to confront Droṇa.
In the Drona Parva battle sequence, Yudhiṣṭhira quickly moves away from Droṇa’s vicinity on swift horses, and a Pāñcāla prince advances to face Droṇa in combat.