Mahabharata 7.34.22 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 34, Shloka 22
Droṇa’s Defensive Stand and Abhimanyu Commissioned to Breach the Cakravyūha (द्रोणानीक-प्रतिरोधः; सौभद्र-नियोजनम्)
उसके दोनों ओर चँवर और व्यजन डुलाये जा रहे थे। वह उदयकालके सूर्यकी भाँति प्रकाशित हो रहा था। उस सेनाके अग्रभागमें सेनापति द्रोणाचार्य खड़े थे ।।
tasya ubhayataḥ cāmarāṇi vyajanāni ca vījyamānāni sma | sa udayakālasya sūrya iva prakāśate sma | tasyāḥ senāyāḥ agrabhāge senāpatiḥ droṇācāryaḥ tiṣṭhati sma || sindhurājaḥ tathātiṣṭhac chrīmān merur ivācalaḥ | sindhurājasya pārśvasthā aśvatthāmā-purogamāḥ ||
De ambos os lados dele, chāmaras e leques eram agitados. Ele brilhava como o sol ao amanhecer. Na linha mais avançada daquele exército estava Droṇācārya, seu comandante. Do mesmo modo, o rei do Sindhu, o ilustre Jayadratha, mantinha-se firme como o imóvel monte Meru; e junto dele estavam grandes guerreiros de carro, liderados por Aśvatthāmā. A cena ressalta como o esplendor régio e a exibição marcial são usados para firmar o ânimo e projetar legitimidade na guerra, mesmo quando o conflito avança para desfechos dolorosos e eticamente carregados.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward signs of sovereignty—ceremonial attendants, radiant imagery, and mountain-like steadfastness—are deployed to project authority and stabilize an army’s confidence. Ethically, it hints at the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension: impressive power and display do not by themselves guarantee righteousness; they can serve any cause, noble or flawed.
Sañjaya describes the Kaurava battle formation: the commander Droṇācārya stands at the army’s front, while Jayadratha, king of Sindhu, stands firm like Mount Meru, with warriors led by Aśvatthāmā positioned near him. The description sets the battlefield tableau and the chain of command and support around key figures.
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