Mahabharata 7.93.8 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 93, Shloka 8
द्रोण–सात्यकि-युद्धम्
Droṇa–Sātyaki Engagement
संजय कहते हैं--महाराज! अर्जुनके ऐसा कहनेपर उस समय द्रोणाचार्यने उन्हें हँसते हुए-से उत्तर दिया--'अर्जुन! मुझे पराजित किये बिना जयद्रथको जीतना असम्भव है! ७ |। एतावदुक्त्वा तं द्रोण: शरब्रातैरवाकिरत् । सरथाश्चथध्वजं ती&णै: प्रहसन् वै ससारथिम्
etāvad uktvā taṃ droṇaḥ śaravrātair avākirat | sa-rathāśva-dhvajaṃ tīkṣṇaiḥ prahasan vai sa-sārathim ||
ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ—ମହାରାଜ! ଅର୍ଜୁନ ଏପରି କହିବା ସହିତ ଦ୍ରୋଣାଚାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଉପହାସମିଶ୍ରିତ ହାସରେ ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଲେ—“ଅର୍ଜୁନ! ମୋତେ ପରାଜିତ କରିନଥିଲେ ଜୟଦ୍ରଥକୁ ଜିତିବା ଅସମ୍ଭବ।” ଏତେ କହି ଦ୍ରୋଣ ହସିହସି ତୀକ୍ଷ୍ଣ ବାଣବର୍ଷା କଲେ—ଅର୍ଜୁନଙ୍କ ରଥ, ଘୋଡ଼ା, ଧ୍ୱଜ ଓ ସାରଥି ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ କରି।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of kṣatriya-dharma: duty is executed through decisive action, yet it can be accompanied by pride or mockery. Droṇa’s laughter and immediate assault show how power can be used to enforce a strategic claim—reminding readers that righteousness in war is not only about goals but also about the manner and intent with which force is applied.
After asserting that Jayadratha cannot be defeated unless Droṇa is first overcome, Droṇa immediately demonstrates his control of the battlefield by raining sharp arrows upon Arjuna—targeting not just Arjuna himself but his entire fighting apparatus: chariot, horses, banner, and charioteer.
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