Shloka 18
भीमसेनवच: श्रुत्वा द्रोणस्तत् परमाप्रियम् । मनसा सन्नगात्रो$भूदू यथा सैकतमम्भसि
bhīmasenavacaḥ śrutvā droṇas tat paramāpriyam | manasā sannagātro 'bhūd yathā saikatam ambhasi ||
サञ्जयは言った。ビーマセーナの言葉――ドローナにとってこの上なく不快なそれ――を聞くや、ドローナは胸中で揺さぶられ、手足は力を失って沈むかのようであった。まるで水に触れた砂が崩れ落ちるように。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical and psychological force of speech: words can wound, destabilize, and morally burden even the mighty. In war, victory is not only physical; it also turns on mental resilience, and harsh or grievous utterances can break resolve.
Sañjaya describes Droṇa’s immediate inner collapse upon hearing Bhīma’s extremely unwelcome statement. Droṇa’s body slackens from mental shock, compared to sand dissolving or sinking in water—an image of sudden loss of firmness and composure.