Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions
आर्जुनिस्तस्य समरे हयान् हत्वा महारथ: । ननाद बलवन्नादं तत् सैन्यं प्रत्यपूरयत्
ārjunis tasya samare hayān hatvā mahārathaḥ | nanāda balavan nādaṃ tat sainyaṃ pratyapūrayat ||
सञ्जय उवाच—तस्य समरे महारथ आर्जुनिः श्रुतायुषो हयान् हत्वा बलवन्नादं ननाद, तेन नादेन तत्सैन्यं प्रत्यपूरयत्।
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights a warrior’s duty in war: decisive action that neutralizes an opponent’s capacity to fight (here, by killing the horses that drive the chariot) and the psychological dimension of combat, where a powerful roar asserts courage and can unsettle the opposing ranks.
Sañjaya reports that Ārjuni (Irāvān), an elite chariot-warrior, kills the enemy’s horses in the midst of battle and then roars loudly, making the opposing army resound—an image of both tactical success and battlefield intimidation.