Shloka 216
द्रोणवध-प्रश्नः
Droṇa’s Fall: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Inquiry
आक्रीडन्तो वहन्ति सम सारड्रशबला हया: । आर्य! पुरुषसिंह शिशुपालके पुत्रके सारंगके समान चितकबरे अश्व खेल करते हुए-से वहन कर रहे थे
sañjaya uvāca | ākrīḍanto vahanti sama-sāradr̥śa-balā hayāḥ | ārya! puruṣa-siṁha śiśu-pālaka-putrake sāraṅgake samāna-citakabare aśva khel karate hue-se vahana kara rahe the |
サञ्जयは言った――力も姿も等しい馬たちは、まるで戯れながら騎手を運ぶかのようであった。ああ高貴なる方よ、獅子のごとき男たちは、憂いなき若者――牧童の子ら、あるいは鹿のように敏捷な少年――が馬上で遊ぶかのように運ばれていった。戦の陰鬱な奔流の中にあっても、その熟達は騎乗を容易に見せ、技と自信が戦場の苛烈さを覆い隠しうることを示していた。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how disciplined skill and courage can make even perilous action appear effortless. Ethically, it points to the kṣatriya ideal of mastery and composure in duty, while also reminding the reader that the seeming ‘play’ occurs within the grave reality of war.
Sanjaya describes a battlefield movement where strong, well-matched horses carry heroic warriors. Their riding looks like playful sport, emphasizing speed, control, and confidence as the forces surge through the conflict in Droṇa Parva.