Shloka 23
Śaineya–Bhūriśravas: Genealogy, Svayaṃvara Contest, and the Maheśvara Boon
द्रोणो5पि समरे राजन् माधवस्य महद् धनु: । अर्धचन्द्रेण चिच्छेद रथशक्त्या च सारथिम्,नरेश्वर! तब समरभूमिमें द्रोणाचार्यने भी सात्यकिके विशाल धनुषको अर्द्धचन्द्राकार बाणसे काट दिया तथा रथशक्तिका प्रहार करके सारथिको भी गहरी चोट पहुँचायी
sañjaya uvāca |
droṇo 'pi samare rājan mādhavasya mahad dhanuḥ |
ardhacandreṇa ciccheda rathaśaktyā ca sārathim, nareśvara |
Sañjaya berkata: Wahai raja, di tengah pertempuran Droṇa juga memutuskan busur besar Mādhava (Sātyaki) dengan anak panah berkepala sabit; dan dengan lembing dari keretanya (ratha-śakti) dia turut menikam sais, menyebabkan luka yang parah. Adegan ini menegaskan keganasan perang yang tidak mengenal henti, di mana bahkan guru yang dihormati menggunakan kemahiran maut tanpa ragu.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in the dharma of war, mastery and resolve can override personal reverence: even a venerable teacher like Droṇa acts with uncompromising effectiveness. It invites reflection on the ethical tension between duty (kṣatriya-dharma) and the human cost of relentless combat.
Sañjaya reports to the king that Droṇa, fighting on the battlefield, severs Mādhava’s great bow with a crescent-headed arrow and then strikes the charioteer with a chariot-spear, seriously wounding him.