Shloka 15
Rātri-yuddhe Droṇasya prahāraḥ — Bhīmasenasya dhārtarāṣṭra-śūrānām nigrahaḥ
Night Battle: Droṇa’s Assault and Bhīma’s Suppression of Dhārtarāṣṭra Warriors
ततो रथादवप्लुत्य वेगमास्थाय पाण्डव: । निमील्य नयने राजन् पदातिद्रोणमभ्ययात्
tato rathād avaplutya vegam āsthāya pāṇḍavaḥ | nimīlya nayane rājan padāti droṇam abhyayāt ||
Sañjaya berkata: Lalu sang Pāṇḍava melompat turun dari ratanya dan menghimpun kelajuan; wahai Raja, dengan mata terpejam, dia mara berjalan kaki menuju Droṇa—suatu tindakan yang dibentuk oleh etika perang yang kelam, apabila tekad dan keperluan memaksa seorang pahlawan berhadapan bahkan dengan guru yang dihormati.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh moral complexity of war: even revered figures like a guru may become opponents, and a warrior’s determined action—here symbolized by leaping down and advancing with closed eyes—can reflect inner conflict, resolve, and the pressure of duty amid violence.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a Pāṇḍava warrior jumps down from his chariot, gathers speed, closes his eyes, and advances on foot toward Droṇa, signaling an urgent, decisive confrontation in the battle.