Shloka 6
द्रोण-पार्थ-युद्धम्
Droṇa–Pārtha Strategic Engagement
इमौ च बाणौ सहितौ पादयोरमे व्यवस्थितौ । अपरोौ चाप्यतिक्रान्तौ कर्णो संस्पृश्य मे शरौ,ये दो बाण एक साथ आकर मेरे पैरोंके आगे गिरे हैं और दूसरे दो बाण मेरे दोनों कानोंको छूकर निकल गये हैं
imau ca bāṇau sahitau pādayor me vyavasthitau | aparau cāpyatikrāntau karṇau saṃspṛśya me śarau ||
Droṇa berkata: “Dua anak panah ini datang serentak lalu berhenti di hadapan kakiku; dan dua lagi melintas pergi setelah hanya menyentuh telingaku.” Dalam tata susila para kesatria, kata-kata demikian menandakan penilaian tajam terhadap ketepatan dan pengendalian lawan—kekuatan dipamerkan tanpa mencederakan secara sia-sia, seolah-olah menguji kemahiran dan niat, bukan segera mencari pembunuhan.
द्रोण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights discernment and restraint in the use of force: mastery is shown not only by the ability to strike, but by controlled precision that can warn, test, or demonstrate superiority without immediate lethal intent—an ethical dimension within kṣatriya conduct.
Droṇa observes an archer’s remarkable accuracy: two arrows land together in front of his feet, while two others pass by after grazing his ears. He is effectively reporting the closeness and deliberateness of the shots, recognizing the opponent’s skill and the calculated nature of the attack.