Shloka 29
Adhyāya 14: Śalya’s Missile-Pressure and the Pāṇḍava Convergence (शल्यस्य शरवर्षम्)
हताश्वे तु रथे तिष्ठन् द्रोणपुत्रस्त्वयस्मयम्
hatāśve tu rathe tiṣṭhan droṇaputrastvayasmayam
サンジャヤは言った。「馬を討たれた戦車の上に立ちながらも、ドローナの子（アシュヴァッターマン）はなお堅く踏みとどまり、屈せぬ心で、移動と防護の手段が砕かれても戦の陰鬱な務めを続けた。この一瞬は、戦において決意が物質的な支えを超えて存続しうることを示し、揺るがぬ勇気と、復讐という破壊の勢いとのあいだに倫理的な緊張を浮かび上がらせる。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness under extreme loss: even when external supports collapse (a chariot without horses), inner resolve can continue. Ethically, it invites reflection on whether such firmness serves dharma (duty and protection) or becomes mere hardening that fuels further harm.
Sañjaya reports that Droṇa’s son (Aśvatthāman) is still standing on his chariot even after its horses have been killed, indicating a critical, dangerous moment in the battle where he persists despite being exposed and effectively immobilized.