Shloka 52
गदां विनिहतां दृष्टवा पार्षतः शत्रुतापन: । द्रोणाय शक्ति चिक्षेप सर्वपारशवीं शुभाम्
sañjaya uvāca | gadāṃ vinihatāṃ dṛṣṭvā pārṣataḥ śatrutāpanaḥ | droṇāya śaktiṃ cikṣepa sarvapārśavīṃ śubhām ||
ਆਪਣੀ ਗਦਾ ਨਿਸ਼ਫਲ ਹੋਈ ਵੇਖ ਕੇ, ਸ਼ਤ੍ਰੂ-ਤਾਪਨ ਪਾਰਸ਼ਤ-ਪੁੱਤਰ ਧ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟਦ੍ਯੁਮਨ ਨੇ ਦ੍ਰੋਣ ਵੱਲ ਪੂਰੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਲੋਹੇ ਦੀ ਬਣੀ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਸ਼ਕਤੀ ਸੁੱਟੀ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the battlefield ethic of steadfastness and adaptability: when a chosen means fails, a warrior committed to his duty promptly adopts another means. It also reflects the uncompromising nature of kṣatriya-dharma in war, where resolve and tactical flexibility are prized even against revered figures like a teacher-commander.
Dhrishtadyumna sees that his mace attack has been neutralized. He then switches weapons and hurls a splendid, all-iron spear (śakti) at Drona, as Sanjaya continues narrating the intense combat.