Shloka 5
Abhimanyu-śravaṇa-prastāva and Cakravyūha-vinyāsa
Prelude to Abhimanyu’s Account and the Wheel-Formation Deployment
अभिशस्ता इवाभूवन् ध्यानमूकत्वमास्थिता: । ततः प्रभातसमये द्रोणं दुर्योधनो 5ब्रवीत्,उस समय आपके महारथीगण कलंकित-से हो रहे थे। वे ध्यानस्थसे होकर मूक हो गये थे। तदनन्तर प्रातःकाल दुर्योधन द्रोणाचार्यके पास जाकर उनसे कुछ कहनेको उद्यत हुआ
abhīśastā ivābhūvan dhyāna-mūkatvam āsthitāḥ | tataḥ prabhāta-samaye droṇaṃ duryodhano 'bravīt ||
They appeared as though disgraced, having fallen into a silence born of brooding contemplation. Then, at daybreak, Duryodhana addressed Droṇa—ready to speak to him about what should be done next. The verse underscores the moral pressure of battlefield responsibility: when warriors lapse into stunned inaction, leadership turns to counsel and command to restore resolve and direction.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, hesitation and stunned silence can be perceived as blameworthy; therefore leadership seeks counsel and decisive speech to restore purpose. Ethically, it points to the tension between inner reflection and the kṣatriya expectation of timely action.
After a troubling development in the battle, the Kaurava champions appear as if disgraced and become silent, absorbed in thought. At dawn, Duryodhana approaches Droṇa and begins to address him, initiating a counsel/command moment about the next course of action.