Mahabharata 7.52.4 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 52, Shloka 4
Jayadrathasya śoka-bhaya-vilāpaḥ — Droṇena āśvāsanaṃ ca
Jayadratha’s lament and Droṇa’s reassurance
बालश्न बालबुद्धिश्न सौभद्र: परवीरहा । अनुपायेन संग्रामे युध्यमानो विशेषत:
sañjaya uvāca |
bālaś ca bālabuddhiś ca saubhadraḥ paravīrahā |
anupāyena saṅgrāme yudhyamāno viśeṣataḥ ||
Sañjaya disse: “Saubhadra (Abhimanyu)—ainda um rapaz, com o entendimento próprio da infância—era, contudo, um matador de heróis inimigos. Mas, nesta batalha, lutava em condição particularmente desfavorável, sem os meios e o apoio adequados.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of war: extraordinary valor can coexist with vulnerability. Abhimanyu’s heroism is acknowledged, yet the narration stresses that he fought without adequate means or support—inviting reflection on fairness, protection of the young, and the moral weight of exploiting an opponent’s disadvantage.
Sañjaya describes Abhimanyu (Saubhadra) as very young but capable of killing enemy champions. At this point in the battle, however, he is fighting under especially unfavorable conditions—without the appropriate strategy, resources, or backing—setting the tone for the peril he faces.
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