Shloka 18
नारायणास्त्र-शमनं द्रौणि-प्रहारश्च
Pacification of the Nārāyaṇāstra and Drauni’s Renewed Assault
ततः संचुक्रुशुः पार्था ये च तेषां पदानुगा:
tataḥ sañcukruśuḥ pārthā ye ca teṣāṃ padānugāḥ
Sañjaya berkata: Maka putera-putera Pṛthā (para Pāṇḍava), bersama mereka yang mengiringi, melaungkan sorak kemenangan yang besar. Setelah menundukkan musuh di medan perang, Nakula—penyiksa musuh, dengan amarah masih menyala—berkata kepada sais keretanya: “Wahai sūta, pandulah aku menuju bala tentera Droṇācārya.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethos of steadfast resolve in battle: after gaining advantage, the warriors do not lapse into complacency but press forward with disciplined command. It also shows how intense emotions like wrath are channeled into purposeful action under the structure of duty and hierarchy (warrior and charioteer).
After defeating opponents in the immediate clash, the Pāṇḍavas and their followers raise a loud victory cry. Nakula, still enraged and eager to continue the assault, instructs his charioteer to drive him toward Droṇācārya’s forces, signaling a renewed engagement against a major enemy formation.