Shloka 21
Droṇa’s Renewed Advance toward Yudhiṣṭhira; Fall of Satyajit and Allied Recoil (द्रोणस्य युधिष्ठिरप्रेप्सा—सत्यजितः पतनम्)
अजय्यमरिभि: संख्ये पार्षतं वाक्यमब्रवीत् । ब्राह्मणस्य वशं नाहमियामद्य यथा प्रभो | पारावतसवर्णाश्व तथा नीतिर्विधीयताम्
ajayyam aribhiḥ saṅkhye pārṣataṁ vākyam abravīt | brāhmaṇasya vaśaṁ nāham iyām adya yathā prabho | pārāvata-savarṇāśva tathā nītir vidhīyatām ||
ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ—ସଂଗ୍ରାମର ଘନଘୋର ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଶତ୍ରୁମାନଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା ଅଜୟ ପାର୍ଷତ ଏହି କଥା କହିଲା—“ପ୍ରଭୋ! ଆଜି ମୁଁ ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣଙ୍କ ବଶରେ ପଡିବି ନାହିଁ। ପାରାବତ-ବର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଅଶ୍ୱମାନଙ୍କ ସହ ଯଥାଯୋଗ୍ୟ ନୀତି ଗଠନ କରାଯାଉ।”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a tension between traditional brāhmaṇical authority and a warrior’s insistence on independent agency in crisis. Ethically, it raises the question of when (or whether) social-religious deference should yield to battlefield necessity and personal resolve, and how pride can shape strategic decisions.
During the fighting, the Pārṣata (typically identified as Dhṛṣṭadyumna) makes a forceful declaration that he will not be under a brāhmaṇa’s control that day, and instructs that the battle plan be set accordingly, specifying the use of dove-colored horses—an operational detail signaling immediate tactical preparation.