Shloka 26
दुःशासननिग्रहः—द्रोणधृष्टद्युम्नयुद्धप्रसङ्गः
Rebuke of Duḥśāsana; Context of the Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna Combat
स वध्यमानो बहुभि: शरै: संनतपर्वभि: । सम्प्रायाज्जवनैरश्वैद्रोणानीकाय सौबल:,झुकी हुई गाँठवाले बहुत-से बाणोंकी मार खाकर सुबलपुत्र शकुनि वेगशाली घोड़ोंकी सहायतासे द्रोणाचार्यकी सेनाके पास जा पहुँचा
sa vadhyamāno bahubhiḥ śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ | samprāyāj javanair aśvair droṇānīkāya saubalaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Though being struck down by many arrows with bent joints, Śakuni, the son of Subala, sped away with swift horses and reached the battle-array of Droṇa. The verse underscores a grim wartime ethic: even under heavy assault, a commander’s ally seeks refuge and regrouping within a stronger formation, prioritizing survival and tactical continuity over solitary valor.
संजय उवाच