Shloka 11
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 45: Saubhadra–Lakṣmaṇa-saṃyoga and Kaurava Counter-Encirclement
ऐसा कहकर पराक्रमी रुक्मरथ सुन्दर सजे-सजाये तेजस्वी रथपर आखरूढ़ हो सुभद्राकुमार अभिमन्युकी ओर दौड़ा
iti uktvā parākramī rukmarathaḥ sundara-sajjita-sajjitaḥ tejasvī rathopasthaḥ ārūḍhaḥ subhadrā-kumāram abhimanyum prati dudrāva
Sañjaya said: Having spoken thus, the valiant Rukmaratha—radiant and mounted upon a beautifully adorned, well-equipped chariot—charged straight toward Abhimanyu, the son of Subhadrā. The moment underscores how, in the heat of war, spoken resolve immediately turns into action, and youthful heroism is met by determined aggression on the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Kṣatriya ethos: declarations in war are immediately followed by decisive action. It also frames the ethical tension of battle—courage and resolve are praised, yet they unfold within a violent contest where even the young and gifted (Abhimanyu) become targets of relentless assault.
Sañjaya reports that the warrior Rukmaratha, after speaking, mounts his splendidly prepared chariot and rushes toward Abhimanyu, Subhadrā’s son, initiating or intensifying a direct confrontation on the battlefield.