Shloka 36
Saubhadra under Concentrated Assault; Pārṣata’s Intervention and Escalation
स द्रोणं निशितैर्बाणै राजन् विव्याध सप्तभि: । पार्षत॑ च रथं तूर्ण स्वकमारोहयत् तदा
sa droṇaṃ niśitair bāṇai rājann vivyādha saptabhiḥ | pārṣataṃ ca rathaṃ tūrṇaṃ svakāmārohayat tadā ||
സഞ്ജയൻ പറഞ്ഞു—രാജാവേ! അവൻ ഏഴ് മൂർച്ചയുള്ള അമ്പുകളാൽ ദ്രോണനെ കുത്തിവെച്ചു. തുടർന്ന് വൈകാതെ പാർഷതൻ—ദ്രുപദപുത്രൻ ധൃഷ്ടദ്യുമ്നനെ—തന്റെ രഥത്തിലേക്ക് കയറ്റി.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the battlefield setting, the verse highlights kṣatriya conduct expressed through decisive action: confronting a formidable opponent (Droṇa) while also safeguarding and supporting an ally (Dhṛṣṭadyumna). It reflects the ethical tension of war—duty-driven violence paired with responsibility toward one’s companions.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a warrior strikes Droṇa with seven sharp arrows and then quickly brings Pārṣata (Dhṛṣṭadyumna) onto his own chariot, indicating a swift tactical move—either rescue, repositioning, or coordinated assault.