Shloka 5
महेष्वासं नरव्याप्रं द्विषतां भयवर्धनम् । कृतज्ञं सत्यनिरतं दुर्योधनहितैषिणम्,जँभाई लेते हुए व्याप्र तथा मदकी धारा बहानेवाले गजराजकी भाँति पराक्रमी, युद्धमें प्राणोंका विसर्जन करनेके लिये उद्यत, कवच आदिसे सुसज्जित, विचित्र रीतिसे युद्ध करनेवाले, शत्रुओंका भय बढ़ानेवाले, कृतज्ञ, सत्यपरायण, दुर्योधनके हितैषी तथा शूरवीर, भरद्वाजनन्दन महाधनुर्धर पुरुषसिंह द्रोणाचार्यको युद्धमें डटा हुआ देख किन शूरवीरोंने लौटकर उनका सामना किया? संजय! यह वृत्तान्त मुझसे कहो
sañjaya uvāca |
maheṣvāsaṃ naravyāghraṃ dviṣatāṃ bhayavardhanam |
kṛtajñaṃ satyanirataṃ duryodhanahitaiṣiṇam ||
Sañjaya said: “(I saw) Droṇa—mighty with the great bow, a tiger among men, one who increases the fear of his foes; grateful for kindness shown, steadfast in truth, and devoted to Duryodhana’s welfare.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights warrior-virtues that can be ethically double-edged: truthfulness and gratitude are praised, yet they are shown operating within partisan loyalty—Droṇa’s commitment to Duryodhana—illustrating how personal obligations can complicate dharma in war.
Sañjaya characterizes Droṇa on the battlefield as a formidable archer and fearsome opponent, emphasizing his moral traits (gratitude, truthfulness) and his allegiance to Duryodhana, setting up the ensuing account of who dares to confront him.