Shloka 26
Śalya–Bhīma Gadāyuddham (मद्रराज-भीमसेन गदायुद्धम्)
द्रोण: पाउ्चालराजानं विद्ध्वा दशभिराशुगै: । बहुभिस्तेन चाभ्यस्तस्तं विव्याध ततोडधिकै:,द्रोणाचार्यने पांचालराज ट्रुपदको दस शीघ्रगामी बाणोंसे बींध डाला। फिर द्रुपदने भी बहुत-से बाणोंद्वारा उन्हें घायल कर दिया। तब द्रोणने भी और अधिक सायकोंद्वारा ट्रपदको क्षत-विक्षत कर दिया
sañjaya uvāca | droṇaḥ pāñcālarājānaṃ viddhvā daśabhir āśugaiḥ | bahubhis tena cābhyastas taṃ vivyādha tato ’dhikaiḥ ||
द्रोणः पाञ्चालराजानं दशभिराशुगैः शरैः विद्ध्वा; स तेन बहुभिः शरैः प्रत्यभ्यस्तः, ततः द्रोणस्तं पुनरधिकैः शरैर्विव्याध।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral tension of war: once violence begins, it tends to invite retaliation and escalation. Even when framed as kṣatriya-duty, personal hostility and the logic of battlefield response can intensify suffering, illustrating the Mahābhārata’s recurring warning about the self-propagating nature of conflict.
Sañjaya narrates a direct exchange between Droṇa and Drupada: Droṇa first pierces Drupada with ten swift arrows; Drupada counters by striking Droṇa with many arrows; Droṇa then answers with an even greater volley, further wounding Drupada.