Shloka 24
Śalya Appointed as Karṇa’s Sārathi; Discourse on Praise, Blame, and Beneficial Counsel (कर्णस्य शल्यसारथ्यं तथा स्तवनिन्दाविचारः)
अथान्यद् धनुरादाय द्रुपदस्यात्मजो बली
athānyad dhanur ādāya drupadasyātmajo balī
Sañjaya said: Then the mighty son of Drupada took up another bow—signaling steadfast resolve amid the pressures of battle, and the warrior’s duty to continue the fight without yielding to fear or setback.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a dharma-centered war narrative, the verse highlights perseverance in one’s appointed duty: when a weapon fails or circumstances shift, a warrior must regain composure and continue responsibly rather than collapse into despair.
Sañjaya reports that Drupada’s son—identified in the epic context as Dṛṣṭadyumna—takes up another bow, indicating he is re-arming himself to continue the combat after a change or loss of his previous weapon.