Shloka 24
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Bereavement and the Averted Assault on Bhīma (Āyasī Pratimā Episode)
समासाद्याथ वै द्रौणिं पाण्डुपुत्रा महारथा: । व्यजयंस्ते रणे राजन् विक्रम्प तदनन्तरम्,राजन्! तदनन्तर महारथी पाण्डवोंने द्रोणपुत्र अश्वत्थामाके पास पहुँचकर उसे बलपूर्वक युद्धमें पराजित किया
samāsādyātha vai drauṇiṃ pāṇḍuputrā mahārathāḥ | vyajayaṃs te raṇe rājan vikramya tadanantaram ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then the mighty chariot-warriors, the sons of Pāṇḍu, came up to Droṇa’s son (Aśvatthāman). O King, they overcame him in battle; and after displaying their valor, they pressed on further. The verse underscores the relentless momentum of war, where prowess and duty to one’s side drive action even amid the moral weight of fratricidal conflict.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-duty and the momentum of warfare: even after grievous losses, warriors continue to act according to their role—seeking out key opponents, testing strength, and advancing. It implicitly invites reflection on how dharma as ‘role-duty’ can propel action in morally heavy circumstances.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that the Pāṇḍavas, described as great chariot-warriors, approach Droṇa’s son Aśvatthāman and defeat him in combat; having displayed their valor, they proceed onward to the next phase of action.