Shloka 3
अध्याय ३१ — द्रोणानीके तुमुलसंग्रामः
The Tumultuous Battle around Droṇa’s Formation
संजय उवाच तथापि तव पुत्रस्य प्रियकामा विशाम्पते । यश: प्रवीरा लोकेषु रक्षन्तो द्रोणमन्वयु:,संजयने कहा--प्रजानाथ! यद्यपि सेनाओंमें भगदड़ पड़ गयी थी, तथापि बहुत-से विश्वविख्यात वीरोंने आपके पुत्रका प्रिय करनेकी इच्छा रखकर अपने यशकी रक्षा करते हुए उस समय द्रोणाचार्यका साथ दिया
sañjaya uvāca tathāpi tava putrasya priyakāmā viśāmpate | yaśaḥ pravīrā lokeṣu rakṣanto droṇam anvayuḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Even so, O lord of the people, desiring to do what was pleasing to your son, many renowned heroes—guarding their own fame before the worlds—followed Droṇa and stood by him. In the midst of panic and disorder, loyalty to the prince and concern for reputation drew them back into disciplined support of their commander.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in crisis, warriors may be driven not only by duty to a commander but also by the desire to please a patron and to preserve personal honor (yaśas). It implicitly raises an ethical tension: action motivated by reputation and allegiance can restore order, yet it may also bind one to a flawed cause.
After confusion and flight in the battle, many celebrated fighters regroup. Wanting to satisfy Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son (Duryodhana) and to protect their standing in the eyes of the world, they rally behind Droṇa and continue the fight under his leadership.