Shloka 17
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 94: Sātyaki–Sudarśana Yuddha (सात्यकि–सुदर्शन युद्ध)
सो<न््तरा कृतवर्माणं काम्बोजं च सुदक्षिणम् । अभ्ययाद् वर्जयन् द्रोणं मैनाकमिव पर्वतम्,वे मैनाक पर्वतकी भाँति अविचल भावसे स्थित द्रोणाचार्यको छोड़ते हुए कृतवर्मा तथा काम्बोजराज सुदक्षिणके बीचसे होकर निकले
so 'ntarā kṛtavarmāṇaṃ kāmbojaṃ ca sudakṣiṇam | abhyayād varjayan droṇaṃ mainākam iva parvatam ||
Sañjaya said: Passing between Kṛtavarmā and Sudakṣiṇa of Kāmboja, he advanced—deliberately avoiding Droṇācārya, who stood firm and unshaken like Mount Maināka. The verse highlights a tactical choice shaped by prudence: rather than courting needless destruction by confronting an immovable master, the warrior seeks a path that preserves purpose amid the chaos of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the midst of righteous-conflict and battlefield duty, discernment matters: one may uphold one’s objective by avoiding a confrontation that is strategically futile or disproportionately destructive—especially when facing a steadfast, overwhelmingly formidable figure like Droṇa.
Sañjaya describes a warrior moving forward by passing between Kṛtavarmā and Sudakṣiṇa of Kāmboja, intentionally bypassing Droṇācārya, who is portrayed as immovable and firm like Mount Maināka.