Shloka 16
Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions
सौभद्रस्तु ततः क्रुद्ध: पातिते रथसारथौ । बृहदूबलं महाराज विव्याध नवभि: शरै:,महाराज! अपने रथके सारथिके मारे जानेपर सुभद्राकुमार अभिमन्यु कुपित हो उठे और उन्होंने बृहदबलको नौ बाणोंसे घायल कर दिया
saubhadras tu tataḥ kruddhaḥ pātite rathasārathau | bṛhadbalaṃ mahārāja vivyādha navabhiḥ śaraiḥ ||
Sanjaya berkata: Lalu Saubhadra (Abhimanyu), murka ketika sais keretanya ditewaskan, melukai Raja Bṛhadbala dengan sembilan anak panah.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a common battlefield ethic and human impulse: the fall of a close companion (here, the charioteer) provokes intense anger, leading to swift retaliation. It invites reflection on how grief and rage can govern action in war, even for those bound by kṣatriya duty.
After Abhimanyu’s charioteer is killed, Abhimanyu becomes furious and immediately attacks Bṛhadbala, piercing him with nine arrows, as Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra.