Shloka 26
अभिमन्युवधः
Abhimanyu’s Fall and the Battlefield Aftermath
क्षिण्वन्ति हृदयं मेडद्य घोरा: पावकतेजस: । तमाचार्यो5ब्रवीत् कर्ण शनकै: प्रहसन्निव,“तेजस्वी कुमार अभिमन्युके ये अत्यन्त दारुण और अग्निके समान तेजस्वी घोर बाण आज मेरे वक्ष:स्थलको विदीर्ण किये देते हैं।! यह सुनकर द्रोणाचार्य ठहाका मारकर हँसते हुए-से धीरे-धीरे कर्णसे इस प्रकार बोले---
kṣiṇvanti hṛdayaṃ medadya ghorāḥ pāvakatejasaḥ | tam ācāryo 'bravīt karṇa śanakaiḥ prahasann iva | “tejasvī kumāra abhimanyuke ye atyanta dāruṇa aura agnike samāna tejasvī ghora bāṇa āja mere vakṣaḥsthala ko vidīrṇa kiye dete haiṃ |” iti śrutvā droṇācārya ṭhahākā mārakar haṃsate hue-se dhīre-dhīre karṇase isa prakāra bole—
Sañjaya said: “Those dreadful arrows, blazing like fire, are piercing my heart and tearing my chest.” Hearing this, Droṇācārya—almost as if laughing—spoke slowly to Karṇa. The scene underscores the grim irony of war: even the greatest teachers and warriors, bound by their chosen loyalties, respond to suffering with a hard, strategic composure rather than tenderness, as Abhimanyu’s fierce valor forces his elders to acknowledge the cost of their own side’s tactics.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical harshness of war: extraordinary valor (Abhimanyu’s) compels even revered elders to acknowledge pain and danger, yet strategic necessity can make them respond with controlled, even ironic detachment. It invites reflection on how duty and allegiance can harden compassion in battle.
Sañjaya describes the terrifying, fire-bright arrows shot by Abhimanyu that are ripping into the opponent’s chest/heart region. In response, Droṇa—appearing to laugh—turns and speaks slowly to Karṇa, setting up instructions or commentary on how to meet Abhimanyu’s assault.