Shloka 17
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya-saṃvādaḥ; madhyāhna-saṅgrāma-pravṛttiḥ
Dhritarashtra–Sanjaya dialogue and the midday battle escalation
ध्वजमेकेन विव्याध सारथथिं चास्य पञ्चभि: | धनुरेकेषुणाविध्यत् तत्राक्रुध्यद् द्विजर्षभ:,फिर एक बाणसे ध्वजको, पाँच बाणोंसे सारथिको और एकसे धनुषको बींध डाला। इससे द्विजश्रेष्ठ द्रोणाचार्यको बड़ा क्रोध हुआ
dhvajam ekena vivyādha sārathiṁ cāsya pañcabhiḥ | dhanur ekeṣuṇā vidhyat tatrākrudhyad dvijarṣabhaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Dengan sebatang anak panah dia menembusi panji; dengan lima dia menjatuhkan sais; dan dengan satu lagi dia memutuskan busur. Maka Droṇācārya—singa dalam kalangan Brahmana—menyala marah, kerana kepahlawanan itu menjadikan pertempuran suatu cabaran moral yang tajam: keperkasaan digunakan untuk melumpuhkan dan mengaibkan, bukan sekadar membunuh.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how mastery in war can be used to disable an opponent’s capacity (banner, charioteer, bow) and thereby provoke moral-emotional reactions; it warns that wounded honor and thwarted power often ignite anger, which can cloud judgment in dharmic conduct.
In Sañjaya’s report of the battle, a warrior shoots precisely: first piercing the chariot’s banner, then striking the charioteer with five arrows, and finally piercing/cutting the bow with one arrow. This display enrages Droṇācārya, described as the foremost Brahmin.