Shloka 223
द्रोणवध-प्रश्नः
Droṇa’s Fall: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Inquiry
काम्बोजै: शबलैरश्वेरभ्यवर्तत दुर्जय: । चेदिदेशका श्रेष्ठ राजा अत्यन्त बलवान दुर्जय वीर धृष्टकेतु काम्बोजदेशीय चितकबरे घोड़ोंद्वारा युद्धभूमिकी ओर लौट रहा था
kāmbojaiḥ śabalair aśvair abhyavartata durjayaḥ | cedideśakaśreṣṭho rājā atyantabalavān durjayo vīro dhṛṣṭaketuḥ ||
サञ्जयは言った――征し難き勇者ドリシュタケートゥは、チェーディ国の諸王の中でも第一の王にして、力きわめて盛んな者であるが、カーンボージャ産の斑毛の馬に駆られ、戦場へと再び引き返した。この偈は戦の容赦なき推進力を示す。たとえ挫折の後であっても、クシャトリヤの将は義務と武勇、そして味方への忠誠に突き動かされ、再び修羅の場へ戻るのである。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in wartime: a warrior-king, described as mighty and difficult to defeat, turns back toward battle rather than withdrawing—suggesting steadfastness, courage, and commitment to one’s pledged role, even amid danger.
Sañjaya reports that Dhṛṣṭaketu, the powerful king of Cedi, wheels back toward the battlefield, carried by swift dappled horses associated with the Kāmbojas—signaling his renewed engagement in the ongoing combat.