Shloka 166
Droṇa Encircled at Night: Coalition Advance and Battlefield Omens (द्रोणपर्यावरणं रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
साज्भद: सतलत्राण: सरथो रथिनां वर: । अनुकूल हवा चलकर उन्हें शीघ्र ही अवश्यम्भावी विजयकी सूचना देने लगी। रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ महाबाहु भीमसेन कवच, सुन्दर कुण्डल, बाजूबन्द और तलत्राण (दस्ताने) धारण करके रथपर आरूढ़ हो गये
sāṅgadhaḥ satala-trāṇaḥ sa-ratho rathināṁ varaḥ | anukūlo vāyuḥ calan tān śīghram eva avaśyambhāvī-vijayasya sūcanāṁ dadau | rathināṁ śreṣṭho mahābāhur bhīmasenaḥ kavacaṁ sundara-kuṇḍale bāzubandhau ca tala-trāṇāni ca dhārayitvā ratham ārūḍhavān |
सञ्जय उवाच—साज्युधः सतलत्राणः सरथो रथिनां वरः। अनुकूलो वायुरवात्, शीघ्रमिव तेषामवश्यम्भाविविजयस्य सूचनां ददत्। ततो महाबाहुर्भीमसेनो रथिनां श्रेष्ठः कवचं सुन्दरकुण्डले बाजूबन्दौ च तलत्राणानि च धृत्वा रथमारुरोह।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights kṣatriya readiness and resolve in a dharmic conflict: one must prepare with discipline and courage, while recognizing that signs (like a favorable wind) are interpreted as encouragement—not as a substitute for right action and responsibility.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma’s immediate war-preparations: he puts on armor and ornaments and mounts his chariot. Simultaneously, a favorable wind blows, taken as an omen that swiftly signals an impending, seemingly certain victory.