Mahabharata 7.13.23 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 13, Shloka 23
Droṇa’s sweeping assault and the Abhimanyu–Jayadratha close-quarters episode (द्रोणस्य भीषणव्यचरितम् / सौभद्र-जयद्रथ-संनिपातः)
ततो रुक्मरथो राजन्नकेणेव विराजता । वरूथिना विनिष्पत्य व्यचरत् पृतनामुखे
tato rukmaratho rājann akeṇeva virājatā | varūthinā viniṣpatya vyacarat pṛtanāmukhe | āptair āśu parijñātaṃ bhāradvāja-cikīrṣitam ||
Sañjaya disse: Então, ó Rei, Droṇa—montado num carro de ouro que brilhava como o sol—irrompeu com sua guarda de carros e passou a mover-se na própria dianteira do arranjo de batalha. Por meio de informantes fiéis, compreendeu-se depressa a intenção daquele do linhagem de Bhāradvāja: ele queria pressionar o combate para capturar Yudhiṣṭhira, fazendo da luta daquele dia uma prova de estratégia, contenção e dos limites da guerra conforme o dharma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how decisive leadership in war must be paired with clear intelligence: Droṇa’s bold advance is matched by the rapid recognition of his intent through trusted agents, underscoring that strategy and ethical restraint depend on accurate knowledge of an opponent’s aims.
Sañjaya describes Droṇa emerging with his protective chariot-formation, shining like the sun on a golden chariot, and ranging at the front of the army. His planned objective—pressing the battle toward capturing Yudhiṣṭhira—is quickly understood through reliable informants.
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