Mahabharata 7.13.23 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 13, Shloka 23
Droṇa’s sweeping assault and the Abhimanyu–Jayadratha close-quarters episode (द्रोणस्य भीषणव्यचरितम् / सौभद्र-जयद्रथ-संनिपातः)
ततो रुक्मरथो राजन्नकेणेव विराजता । वरूथिना विनिष्पत्य व्यचरत् पृतनामुखे
tato rukmaratho rājann akeṇeva virājatā | varūthinā viniṣpatya vyacarat pṛtanāmukhe | āptair āśu parijñātaṃ bhāradvāja-cikīrṣitam ||
സഞ്ജയൻ പറഞ്ഞു—രാജാവേ! തുടർന്ന് സൂര്യനെപ്പോലെ ദീപ്തമായ സ്വർണ്ണരഥത്തിൽ ആരൂഢനായ ദ്രോണൻ തന്റെ രഥരക്ഷകരോടൊപ്പം പുറപ്പെട്ടു യുദ്ധവ്യൂഹത്തിന്റെ മുൻഭാഗത്ത് സഞ്ചരിക്കാൻ തുടങ്ങി. വിശ്വസ്ത വിവരദാതാക്കളിലൂടെ ഭാരദ്വാജപുത്രൻ ദ്രോണന്റെ ഉദ്ദേശവും വേഗത്തിൽ അറിയപ്പെട്ടു.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how decisive leadership in war must be paired with clear intelligence: Droṇa’s bold advance is matched by the rapid recognition of his intent through trusted agents, underscoring that strategy and ethical restraint depend on accurate knowledge of an opponent’s aims.
Sañjaya describes Droṇa emerging with his protective chariot-formation, shining like the sun on a golden chariot, and ranging at the front of the army. His planned objective—pressing the battle toward capturing Yudhiṣṭhira—is quickly understood through reliable informants.
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