Shloka 17
Droṇa-pātana-paripṛcchā (Inquiry into the Fall of Droṇa) | द्रोणपातनपरिपृच्छा
वे योद्धाओंके मस्तकों और आभूषणोंसे भूषित भयंकर भुजाओंको भी काटकर रथकी बैठकोंको सूनी कर देते और महारथियोंकी ओर देख-देखकर दहाड़ते थे ।। तस्य हर्षप्रणादेन बाणवेगेन वा विभो । प्राकम्पन्त रणे योधा गाव: शीतार्दिता इव,प्रभो! उनके हर्षपूर्वक किये हुए सिंहनाद अथवा बाणोंके वेगसे उस रणक्षेत्रमें समस्त योद्धा सर्दीसे पीड़ित हुई गायोंकी भाँति थर-थर काँपने लगे
tasya harṣapraṇādena bāṇavegena vā vibho | prākampanta raṇe yodhā gāvaḥ śītārditā iva ||
Sañjaya said: O mighty lord, by his exultant battle-roar—or by the sheer speed and force of his arrows—the warriors on that battlefield began to tremble, like cattle afflicted by winter-cold. The verse underscores how overwhelming martial prowess can unnerve even seasoned fighters, turning courage into fear amid the ethical chaos of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the psychological dimension of warfare: overwhelming force and intimidating sound can break morale. Ethically, it hints at how war destabilizes inner steadiness—valor can collapse into fear when confronted with extraordinary violence.
Sañjaya describes a fearsome warrior whose triumphant roar and rapid arrow-fire cause the fighters across the battlefield to shake uncontrollably, compared to cattle shivering in winter.