Shloka 24
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 25 — Bhīma’s Disruption of Elephant Formations and Bhagadatta’s Shock Advance
सुतसोम॑ तु विक्रान्तमायान्तं तं शरौधिणम् । द्रोणायाभिमुखं वीर॑ विविंशतिरवारयत्,पराक्रमी वीर सुतसोम बाण-समूहोंकी बौछार करता हुआ द्रोणाचार्यके सम्मुख आ रहा था। उसे विविंशतिने रोक दिया
Sutasomaṁ tu vikrāntam āyāntaṁ taṁ śaraughiṇam | Droṇāyābhimukhaṁ vīraṁ viviṁśatir avārayat ||
Sañjaya said: The valiant Sutasoma, advancing while showering volleys of arrows and moving straight toward Droṇa, was checked and held back by the warrior Viviṁśati. In the moral texture of the battle, this moment shows how personal prowess is continually met by counter-duty: warriors interpose themselves to protect commanders and uphold their side’s strategic order, even at the cost of direct confrontation.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a violent setting, actions are framed by role-based duty: a warrior may be obliged to intercept an advancing foe to protect a leader and preserve the army’s order. The verse highlights disciplined opposition—valor expressed through guarding and restraint, not only through attack.
Sutasoma advances toward Droṇa while releasing dense volleys of arrows. Before he can reach or directly engage Droṇa, Viviṁśati steps in and blocks him, forcing a confrontation and preventing Sutasoma’s approach.