Shloka 22
द्रोणविक्रमदर्शनम् / The Display of Droṇa’s Onslaught and the Debate on Pāṇḍava Regrouping
तस्मिन् हते महामात्रे पज्चालानां महारथे । अपायाज्जवनैरश्रैद्रोणात् त्रस्तो युधिष्ठिर:
tasmin hate mahāmātre pāñcālānāṁ mahārathe | apāyāj javanair astrair droṇāt trasto yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Apabila panglima besar—maharathi Pāñcāla—telah terbunuh, Yudhiṣṭhira yang digoncang ketakutan berundur daripada Droṇa, ketika sang guru menekannya dengan senjata yang melayang pantas. Saat itu menegaskan bahawa bahkan raja yang berpegang pada dharma dan menahan diri pun dipaksa oleh momentum perang yang kejam untuk berundur di hadapan kekuatan tempur yang lebih unggul.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of dharma in war: even a principled leader like Yudhiṣṭhira can be overwhelmed by circumstances, showing that righteousness must contend with fear, force, and the harsh realities of battle.
After a prominent Pāñcāla commander and great chariot-warrior is killed, Droṇa attacks fiercely with rapid astras. Yudhiṣṭhira, alarmed, withdraws from Droṇa’s assault.