Shloka 16
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya-saṃvādaḥ; madhyāhna-saṅgrāma-pravṛttiḥ
Dhritarashtra–Sanjaya dialogue and the midday battle escalation
शरांश्षाशीविषाकाराज्ज्वलितान् पन्नगानिव । द्रोणं त्रिभिश्व विव्याध चतुर्भिश्चास्य वाजिन:,उन्होंने उसके द्वारा प्रज्वलित सर्पोंकी भाँति विषैले नागोंकी-ती आकृतिवाले बाण छोड़कर तीनसे द्रोणाचार्यको और चार बाणोंसे उनके घोड़ोंको बींध डाला
sañjaya uvāca |
śarān āśīviṣākārāj jvalitān pannagān iva |
droṇaṃ tribhiś ca vivyādha caturbhiś cāsya vājinaḥ ||
Sañjaya disse: Ele disparou flechas ardentes, moldadas como serpentes venenosas; com três delas traspassou Droṇa, e com mais quatro abateu os cavalos de Droṇa. A cena realça a precisão implacável da perícia no campo de batalha, onde até mestres venerados são tratados como alvos diante das exigências da guerra.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the grim logic of kṣatriya warfare: in the press of battle, even a venerable teacher like Droṇa becomes a combatant to be checked. It points to the ethical tension between reverence and duty, showing how dharma in war can demand harsh, targeted action.
Sañjaya describes a warrior releasing flaming, serpent-like arrows: three strike Droṇa himself, and four strike Droṇa’s horses, disabling or weakening his chariot’s mobility in the ongoing Kurukṣetra combat.