Shloka 30
दुर्योधन-कर्ण-संवादः
Duryodhana–Karna Dialogue on Vyūha-bheda and Daiva
तस्य द्रोणो हयान् हत्वा चतुर्भिश्चतुर: शरै: । सारथेश्ष॒ शिर: कायाच्चकर्त प्रहसन्निव,द्रोणाचार्यने चार बाणोंसे धृष्टकेतुके चारों घोड़ोंको मारकर उनके सारथिके भी मस्तकको हँसते हुए-से काटकर धड़से अलग कर दिया
tasya droṇo hayān hatvā caturbhiś caturaḥ śaraiḥ | sārathes śiraḥ kāyāc cakarta prahasann iva ||
सञ्जय उवाच—तस्य द्रोणश्चतुर्भिश्चतुरः शरैर्हयान् हत्वा सारथेः शिरः कायाच्चकर्त प्रहसन्निव।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh ethical atmosphere of war: extraordinary martial competence can be exercised with chilling detachment. It invites reflection on kṣatriya-duty in battle versus the human cost—how skill and victory often arrive through swift, uncompassionate acts.
Sañjaya reports that Droṇa shoots four arrows to kill the four horses of an opponent’s chariot, disabling mobility, and then beheads the charioteer, decisively neutralizing the chariot’s operation.