Shloka 40
द्रोणवध-प्रश्नः
Droṇa’s Fall: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Inquiry
यः स पाञ्चालसेनानीद्रोणमंशमकल्पयत् । पारावतसवर्णस्त धृष्टद्युम्नमुदावहन्
yaḥ sa pāñcāla-senānī droṇam aṁśam akalpayat | pārāvata-savarṇas ta dhṛṣṭadyumnam udāvahan ||
Sañjaya said: “That commander of the Pāñcālas—who had resolved to treat Droṇa as his allotted share (his destined opponent)—was then borne forward: Dhṛṣṭadyumna, of dove-like hue, advancing into the fray.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of choosing one’s ‘allotted share’ in conflict: a leader deliberately takes responsibility for confronting a formidable adversary, suggesting resolve, accountability, and the sense of destiny that often frames duty in epic warfare.
Sañjaya describes Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the Pāñcāla commander, moving forward in battle with the intention of facing Droṇa—presented as the opponent he has taken upon himself as his destined portion.