Shloka 25
Vasiṣṭhasya śokaḥ, Vipāśā–Śatadrū-nāmākaraṇam, Kalmāṣapādasya bhaya-prasaṅgaḥ (Ādi Parva 167)
द्रोणस्य शरजालानि प्राणिदेहहराणि च । षडरत्नि धनुश्नास्य दृश्यते परमं महत्,“ट्रोणाचार्यके बाणसमूह प्राणियोंके शरीरका संहार करनेवाले हैं। उनका छः हाथका लंबा धनुष बहुत बड़ा दिखायी देता है। इसमें संदेह नहीं कि महान् धनुर्धर महामना द्रोण ब्राह्मण-वेशमें (अपने ब्राह्मतेजके द्वारा) क्षत्रिय-तेजको प्रतिहत कर देते हैं
droṇasya śarajālāni prāṇidehaharāṇi ca | ṣaḍaratni dhanuśnāsya dṛśyate paramaṁ mahat ||
Disse o brâmane: “As saraivadas de flechas de Drona são mortais, arrancando dos seres vivos o corpo e a vida. E o seu arco—de seis côvados de comprimento—parece imensamente vasto. Mesmo sob o disfarce de um brâmane, Drona, o mestre arqueiro de grande alma, pode conter e subjugar o fulgor marcial dos kṣatriyas pela força do seu esplendor bramânico.”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the idea that inner spiritual authority (brahma-tejas) can rival or restrain mere martial force (kṣatra-tejas). It also underscores the ethical weight of weapon-skill: mastery in arms is awe-inspiring but inherently bound to the power to take life, demanding restraint and right purpose.
A Brahmin observer describes Droṇa’s terrifying battlefield capability—his dense showers of arrows and his enormous bow—emphasizing that even when appearing in Brahmin guise, Droṇa’s presence and power can neutralize the prowess of warrior elites.