Shloka 22
द्रोणविक्रमदर्शनम् / The Display of Droṇa’s Onslaught and the Debate on Pāṇḍava Regrouping
तस्मिन् हते महामात्रे पज्चालानां महारथे । अपायाज्जवनैरश्रैद्रोणात् त्रस्तो युधिष्ठिर:
tasmin hate mahāmātre pāñcālānāṁ mahārathe | apāyāj javanair astrair droṇāt trasto yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
ಸಂಜಯನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ಪಾಂಚಾಲರ ಆ ಮಹಾಮಾತ್ರನಾದ ಮಹಾರಥಿ ಹತನಾದಾಗ, ದ್ರೋಣನ ವೇಗಶಾಲಿ ಅಸ್ತ್ರಗಳಿಂದ ಭೀತನಾದ ಯುಧಿಷ್ಠಿರನು ದ್ರೋಣನಿಂದ ದೂರ ಸರಿದು ಹಿಂತಿರುಗಿದನು।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of dharma in war: even a principled leader like Yudhiṣṭhira can be overwhelmed by circumstances, showing that righteousness must contend with fear, force, and the harsh realities of battle.
After a prominent Pāñcāla commander and great chariot-warrior is killed, Droṇa attacks fiercely with rapid astras. Yudhiṣṭhira, alarmed, withdraws from Droṇa’s assault.