Shloka 34
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 25 — Bhīma’s Disruption of Elephant Formations and Bhagadatta’s Shock Advance
यस्तु शूरतमो राजन्नुभयो: सेनयोर्मत: । त॑ पटच्चरहन्तारं लक्ष्मण: समवारयत्
yastu śūratamo rājann ubhayoḥ senayor mataḥ | taṁ patañcarahantāraṁ lakṣmaṇaḥ samavārayat ||
Sañjaya said: O King, the warrior who was judged the most valiant in both armies—him, the slayer of Patañcara, Lakṣmaṇa confronted and checked. In the press of battle, reputation for prowess becomes a moral stake: the foremost hero is met by an equally resolute challenger, as each side seeks to uphold its honor and duty amid the violence of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of meeting renowned valor with steadfast resistance: in war, duty and honor are asserted by directly confronting the most formidable opponent, even when the outcome is uncertain.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the warrior famed as the bravest across both armies—identified by the epithet 'slayer of Patañcara'—is opposed and checked in battle by Lakṣmaṇa.