Shloka 29
Śaineya–Bhūriśravas: Genealogy, Svayaṃvara Contest, and the Maheśvara Boon
ततो द्रोणस्य यन्तारं निपात्यैकेषुणा भुवि | अश्वान् व्यद्रावयद् बाणैरहतसूतांस्ततस्ततः,एक बाणसे युयुधानने द्रोणाचार्यके सारथिको धरतीपर गिरा दिया और सारथिहीन घोड़ोंको अपने बाणोंसे इधर-उधर मार भगाया
tato droṇasya yantāraṃ nipātyaikeṣuṇā bhuvi | aśvān vyadrāvayad bāṇair ahatasūtāṃs tataḥ tataḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian, dengan sebatang anak panah sahaja, dia menjatuhkan sais Droṇa ke tanah. Selepas itu, dia mengacau-bilaukan kuda-kuda—kini tanpa pemandu—lalu menyerakkan mereka ke sana sini dengan panahnya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, control and support-systems (like a charioteer) are decisive; disabling them can neutralize even a great warrior’s effectiveness. Ethically, it reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension between battlefield necessity and the ideal restraints of dharma-yuddha.
The attacker fells Droṇa’s charioteer with a single arrow, leaving the horses without guidance. He then shoots to drive the driverless horses into disorder, disrupting Droṇa’s chariot and mobility in the fight.