Shloka 33
द्रोण–सात्यकि-युद्धम्
Droṇa–Sātyaki Engagement
ततोडब्रवीत् स्वयं द्रोण: क्वेदं पाण्डव गम्यते । ननु नाम रणे शत्रुमजित्वा न निवर्तसे,यह देख द्रोणाचार्यने स्वयं कहा--'पाण्डुनन्दन! तुम इस प्रकार कहाँ चले जा रहे हो? तुम तो रणक्षेत्रमें शत्रुको पराजित किये बिना कभी नहीं लौटते थे”
tato 'bravīt svayaṃ droṇaḥ: kvedaṃ pāṇḍava gamyate | nanu nāma raṇe śatrum ajitvā na nivartase ||
Then Droṇa himself spoke: “O Pāṇḍava, where are you going like this? Surely, in battle you never used to turn back without first defeating the enemy.” In this rebuke, Droṇa appeals to the warrior’s code—steadfastness, courage, and the duty to face conflict without retreat until the foe is overcome.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores kṣatriya-dharma: a warrior should not abandon the battlefield out of fear or wavering resolve; retreat is portrayed as dishonorable unless the enemy has been met and overcome. Droṇa frames steadfastness as an ethical expectation tied to one’s role and vows.
Sañjaya reports that Droṇa addresses a Pāṇḍava who appears to be moving away from the fight. Droṇa challenges this movement as uncharacteristic, reminding him that he formerly did not return without defeating the enemy.