Shloka 18
अभिमन्युवधः
Abhimanyu’s Fall and the Battlefield Aftermath
पुरा सर्वान् प्रमथ्नाति ब्रूहस्य वधमाशु न: । ततो द्रोणो महेष्वास: सर्वास्तान् प्रत्यभाषत,“आचार्य! अभिमन्यु हमलोगोंको मार डाले' इसके पहले ही हमें शीघ्र यह बताइये कि इसका वध किस प्रकार होगा?” तब महाधनुर्धर द्रोणाचार्यने उन सबसे कहा--
sañjaya uvāca |
purā sarvān pramathnāti brūhy asya vadham āśu naḥ |
tato droṇo maheṣvāsaḥ sarvāṁs tān pratyabhāṣata |
サンジャヤは言った。「彼が我らすべてを蹂躙する前に、いかにして彼を討てるか、速やかに告げよ。」すると大弓の名手ドローナは一同に答えた。この段は、戦時の陰鬱な切迫を描く。カウラヴァはアビマンニュの圧倒的な猛攻を止める術を求め、恐れと戦略上の必然が、若く勇猛な敵に対してさえ致命の策へと助言を傾けうることを示している。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, anxiety for survival can eclipse moral clarity: counsel becomes focused on ‘how to kill’ a formidable foe rather than on righteous conduct. It invites reflection on dharma under pressure—whether strategic necessity justifies morally troubling choices.
Amid Abhimanyu’s devastating advance, the Kaurava warriors urgently ask for the means of killing him before he destroys them. Droṇa, renowned as a master archer and commander, then begins to answer their request.