Shloka 54
Droṇasya raudra-prayogaḥ
Droṇa’s intensified assault and the Pāṇḍava response
खचरनगरकल्पं | शास्त्रदृष्टया चलदनिलपताकं ह्वादनं वल्गिताश्वम् | स्फटिकविमलतकेतु त्रासनं शात्रवाणां रथवरमधिरूढ: संजहारारिसेनाम्,शास्त्रोक्त विधिसे निर्मित हुआ आचार्य द्रोणका वह श्रेष्ठ रथ आकाशचारी गन्धर्वनगरके समान जान पड़ता था। वायुके वेगसे उसकी पताका फहरा रही थी। वह रथीके मनको आह्वाद प्रदान करनेवाला था। उसके घोड़े उछल-उछलकर चल रहे थे। उसका ध्वज-दण्ड स्फटिक मणिके समान स्वच्छ एवं उज्ज्वल था। वह शत्रुओंको भयभीत करनेवाला था। उस श्रेष्ठ रथपर आरूढ़ होकर द्रोणाचार्य शत्रुसेनाका संहार कर रहे थे
sañjaya uvāca | khacaranagarakalpaṁ śāstradṛṣṭyā caladanilapatākaṁ hvādanaṁ valgitaśvam | sphaṭikavimalaketū trāsanaṁ śātravāṇāṁ rathavaram adhirūḍhaḥ sañjahārārisenām ||
Sañjaya said: Mounted upon that excellent chariot—fashioned according to the prescriptions of the martial treatises, resembling a city of the sky, its banner streaming in the moving wind, delighting the warrior’s heart, its horses bounding as they ran, its standard-staff clear and radiant like crystal, and striking terror into the enemy—Ācārya Droṇa proceeded to cut down the opposing host. The verse heightens the ethical tension of war: mastery of śāstra and splendid equipment are shown as instruments of destruction, reminding the listener that skill and order, when yoked to battle, can serve both duty and devastation.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how śāstra-guided skill and disciplined craftsmanship can amplify power in war; ethically, it highlights the ambivalence of excellence—order, beauty, and expertise can serve destruction when aligned with battle-duty.
Sañjaya describes Droṇa mounting a superb, śāstra-constructed chariot with a wind-tossed banner and spirited horses; from it, Droṇa terrifies the foes and slaughters the enemy host.