Shloka 65
द्रोणविक्रमदर्शनम् / The Display of Droṇa’s Onslaught and the Debate on Pāṇḍava Regrouping
ते दानवा इवेन्द्रेण वध्यमाना महात्मना । पज्चाला: केकया मत्स्या: समकम्पन्त भारत,भरतनन्दन! इन्द्रके द्वारा मारे जानेवाले दानवोंकी भाँति महामना द्रोणकी मार खाकर पांचाल, केकय और मत्स्यदेशके सैनिक काँपने लगे
te dānavā ivendreṇa vadhyamānā mahātmanā | pāñcālāḥ kekayā matsyāḥ samakampanta bhārata bharatanandana ||
Sañjaya said: Like the Dānavas being struck down by Indra, the Pāñcālas, the Kekayas, and the Matsyas—smitten by the mighty-spirited Droṇa—began to tremble, O Bhārata, O joy of the Bharata race. The verse underscores how overwhelming martial prowess can shatter an army’s resolve, turning the battlefield into a test of steadiness, leadership, and adherence to duty amid fear.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how inner steadiness and disciplined leadership are crucial in dharmic warfare: even a righteous force can falter when confronted by overwhelming power, so courage and duty must be upheld despite fear.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Droṇa’s assault is so formidable that the Pāñcāla, Kekaya, and Matsya troops begin to tremble—compared to Dānavas being cut down by Indra.