Shloka 2
अभिमन्यु-पराक्रमवर्णनम्
Abhimanyu’s Prowess and the Duḥśāsana Engagement
संजय उवाच शृणु राजन् कुमारस्य रणे विक्रीडितं महत् । बिभित्सतो रथानीकं भारद्वाजेन रक्षितम्,संजयने कहा--राजन्! रणक्षेत्रमें कुमार अभिमन्यु-की विशाल रणक्रीड़ाका वर्णन सुनिये। वह द्रोणाचार्य-द्वारा सुरक्षित रथियोंकी सेनाको विदीर्ण करना चाहता था
sañjaya uvāca
śṛṇu rājan kumārasya raṇe vikrīḍitaṁ mahat |
bibhitsato rathānīkaṁ bhāradvājena rakṣitam ||
Sañjaya said: O King, hear of the prince’s mighty sport of war upon the battlefield. He, intent on breaking through the massed chariot-warriors guarded by Bhāradvāja (Droṇa), sought to shatter that protected formation—an account that frames youthful valor against the grim, disciplined machinery of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Kṣatriya ideal of courageous resolve—entering a guarded enemy formation despite danger—while also reminding the listener that war, though described as 'sport,' is a grave arena where duty, discipline, and ethical stakes are inseparable.
Sañjaya begins describing to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra the great battlefield exploits of the young prince (Abhimanyu), who aims to break through a chariot-host protected by Droṇa (called Bhāradvāja).