Mahabharata 7.13.24 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 13, Shloka 24
Droṇa’s sweeping assault and the Abhimanyu–Jayadratha close-quarters episode (द्रोणस्य भीषणव्यचरितम् / सौभद्र-जयद्रथ-संनिपातः)
तमुद्यतं रथेनैकमाशुकारिणमाहवे । अनेकमिव संत्रासान्मेनिरे पाण्ड्सृूज्जया:
tam udyataṁ rathenaikam āśukāriṇam āhave | anekam iva saṁtrāsān menire pāṇḍa-sṛñjayāḥ || āptair āśu parijñātaṁ bhāradvāja-cikīrṣitam ||
Sañjaya disse: Ó Rei, quando Droṇa—rápido na ação—se pôs pronto na batalha, avançando sozinho em sua carruagem, os Pāṇḍavas e os Sṛñjayas, abalados pelo medo, o perceberam como se fosse muitos. E, por meio de agentes de confiança, compreenderam depressa o que o filho de Bhāradvāja (Droṇa) pretendia realizar.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear can distort perception—one formidable warrior may appear like many—and it also underscores the ethical importance of timely, reliable intelligence (āptaiḥ) in making responsible decisions amid war.
Sanjaya reports that Droṇa advances swiftly, alone in his chariot, ready for combat. The Pāṇḍavas and Sṛñjayas, alarmed by his prowess, feel as if they face multiple foes. Meanwhile, they quickly learn Droṇa’s intended plan through trusted informants.
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