Shloka 29
Adhyāya 14: Śalya’s Missile-Pressure and the Pāṇḍava Convergence (शल्यस्य शरवर्षम्)
हताश्वे तु रथे तिष्ठन् द्रोणपुत्रस्त्वयस्मयम्
hatāśve tu rathe tiṣṭhan droṇaputrastvayasmayam
ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ—ଘୋଡ଼ା ହତ ହୋଇଥିବା ରଥରେ ଦାଁଡ଼ି ଦ୍ରୋଣପୁତ୍ର ଅଚଳ ରହିଲେ; ଚଳନ ଓ ରକ୍ଷାର ଉପାୟ ଭଙ୍ଗ ହେଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ସେ ଯୁଦ୍ଧର ସେଇ ଦାରୁଣ କର୍ମ ଅବିରତ କରିଚାଲିଲେ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness under extreme loss: even when external supports collapse (a chariot without horses), inner resolve can continue. Ethically, it invites reflection on whether such firmness serves dharma (duty and protection) or becomes mere hardening that fuels further harm.
Sañjaya reports that Droṇa’s son (Aśvatthāman) is still standing on his chariot even after its horses have been killed, indicating a critical, dangerous moment in the battle where he persists despite being exposed and effectively immobilized.